Florida Bar Must Prevent Gov. Scott’s Judicial Power Grab
Fair Courts E-lert
Bibliographic Info:
Author: David W. Singer
Source: Sun Sentinel
Date: January 11, 2012
Last year the Florida legislature failed to pass a proposal to give the governor sole authority over naming the members of the state’s judicial nominating panel. Currently, the governor appoints five members of each judicial nominating commission on his own, and the other four are chosen based on recommendations by the Florida Bar. Now, a bill advancing in the Florida House seeks to revise the state’s judicial merit selection system, including by allowing the governor to replace some members of the nominating commissions. A Pensacola News Journal article highlights contrasting views on the proposal. According to the Journal, Democratic Representative Marty Kiar fears the change would get rid of the independence of the commissions. In contrast, the bill’s sponsor Matt Gaetz, believes it would permit the governor to hold panel members accountable.
See also: Don't Give Guvs Sole Power to Pick Judges, Orlando Sun, January 3, 2012; Unemployment Relief Sought, Pensacola News Journal, January 11, 2012.