Sen Lee Bright aims at Judicial Reform

It is sickening to read the comments from Larry Martin in this article, knowing the scale of corruption in Columbia pertaining to the SC Supreme Court. That court created law last year in providing the “incumbent protection clause” which resulted in 250 challengers kicked off the primary ballots. It seems as if judicial reform has a long road ahead, but I’m so proud of Senator Bright for going for it.

Rick Brundrett of TheNerve.org reports:

A state senator is proposing a major overhaul of the way judges are selected in the Palmetto State, though he acknowledges his legislation faces an uphill battle in both chambers of the General Assembly.

Sen. Lee Bright, R-Spartanburg, introduced a joint resolution (S. 200) last week calling for a constitutional amendment that would require that judges on the state Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and circuit court be appointed by governor with advice and consent of the state Senate.

The proposed amendment, which would have to be approved by a two-thirds vote of each chamber and a majority of votes in a statewide election, also would eliminate a judicial screening committee controlled by lawmakers and unlike most nominating panels in the country.

Bright also has introduced a separate bill (S. 197) that would impose the gubernatorial-appointment system for family court and Administrative Law Court judges. The state constitution doesn’t address the selection of those judges.

“It kind of drives me crazy the way we do it now,” Bright told The Nerve on Friday. “Unfortunately, these people (judicial candidates) have to parade around here (the State House) like cattle at auctions.”

Read more at the link above.

January 14, 2013  Tags: ,   Posted in: Uncategorized

4 Responses

  1. Gene E Nowak - January 14, 2013

    Too bad that this like most reforms to the way the GOB’s run our state will die in committee.

  2. Cibby Krell - January 14, 2013

    A step in the right direction. We must help that turn into momentum.

  3. Gene E Nowak - January 14, 2013

    The Senator’s heart and mind are on the right track, but the entrenched GOB legislators still control the legislative calendar and what leaves the committee room to be voted on.

  4. Lynn Isler - January 14, 2013

    I agree that this thing will probably die, but we ought to have one Rep or Senator propose this exact thing every legislative session anyway. Way to go Sen. Bright!

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