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The Philadelphia Inquirer today published a letter from PMC Board Chair Bob Heim about the benefits of merit selection. Heim pointed out the importance of eliminating money from the process of choosing appellate judges: “a merit system would eliminate the impression that justice – which is supposed to be blind – can have its eyes opened by million-dollar campaign contributions.”

Heim’s letter also pointed out that the public continues to participate in the selection process through its representation on the nominating commission and the periodic retention elections to determine if judges stay on the bench. Finally, Heim noted that Pennsylvania can only change the way we pick appellate judges if the public votes to do so.

On Tuesday, March 18th, Pennsylvania Bar Association President Andrew F. Susko issued a statement supporting the move to Merit Selection of appellate judges in Pennsylvania. “The time has come, “Susko said, “to join the majority of states that provide for an appointive process based on judicial qualifications followed by swift voter input in the form of retention elections.” The statement does a wonderful job of summarizing the major problems of our current elective system, and how Merit Selection addresses those flaws.

In today’s Philadelphia Inquirer, columnist Daniel Rubin praises the new effort to change to a Merit Selection system for Pennsylvania’s appellate courts. The column focuses on the lack of diversity on the three statewide appellate courts and notes that the electoral system doesn’t provide opportunities for those from diverse backgrounds to reach the appellate bench: “There’s some question whether God could get elected to the highest court in the state – especially if God were black, were from Philadelphia, or didn’t get a good ballot position.” We believe Merit Selection will create pathways to the appellate courts for qualified lawyers in Pennsylvania who come from diverse backgrounds, and who don’t have access to tremendous financial resources or political backing.

The Centre Daily Times today published an editorial calling on Pennsylvania officials to support Merit Selection of appellate judges. After a thorough review of issue, the paper threw down the gauntlet; “If legislators are truly committed to reform in post-pay-raise Pennsylvania, removing politics — and money — from the judicial-selection process is imperative.” We hope that Pennsylvania’s legislators, and its citizens, will heed this call.

In an editorial today, the Allentown Morning Call called the newly announced Merit Selection proposals for the appellate courts “a good mix — serving Pennsylvania’s populist roots on the local level while modernizing and improving the quality of justice on the level of the statewide courts.” The Morning Call also emphasized that the composition of the new citizens based appellate court nominating commission “balances nicely the [three] branches of government, and by giving the biggest bloc of seats to non-government interests, ensures a strong public role in the process.”

Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts and PMCAction took our campaign for Merit Selection of appellate judges to the State Capitol in Harrisburg today. We held a press conference in the Capitol Rotunda, featuring Senator Jane Earll and Representatives David Steil and Josh Shapiro, all of whom will be sponsoring Merit Selection bills in the state legislature. Senator Anthony Williams, another lead sponsor, wasn’t able to attend the event. The event was moderated by Lynn A. Marks, Executive Director of PMC and PMCAction.

Standing with us to demonstrate support for changing the way we select appellate judges were representatives of the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, Common Cause Pennsylvania, Justice at Stake, ACLU of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association, the Philadelphia Bar Association, the Philadelphia Bar Association, and the Commonwealth Foundation. These organizations are part of a steadily growing coalition in support of judicial selection reform.

We felt great excitement and energy today, and we’re really pleased with the response from the media and the public. If you’d like to see more about the presentation we made, and the benefits of a Merit Selection plan, take a look at the press kit materials.

The Associated Press’ coverage appearing in the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader noted “advocates for replacing Pennsylvania’s system of electing appellate judges with an appointive system launched a new effort Tuesday to convince the Legislature that change is needed.” Also reporting on the press conference were Philadelphia’s The Bulletin and The Pittsburgh Post Gazette, which noted that “State Sen. John Pippy thinks the state needs a better way to select judges for its appellate courts.”

Lynn Marks, Executive Director of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, above, gives the opening remarks.  Rep. Josh Shapiro is at her right and Sen. Jane Earll at her left.

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The following items were enclosed in the press kit for today’s news conference. Click on the title to open.:

• Press Release
• Legislation Summary
• Key Points
• What Elections Cost
• Justice Sandra Day O’Connor on Merit Selection in Parade Magazine

We will be adding pictures of today’s event shortly. 

If you’re in Harrisburg tomorrow, you might want to stop by the Capitol Rotunda at 10:30 a.m. 

At that time, Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, PMCAction, lawmakers and others will appear in the Capitol Rotunda for a press conference about the legislation to change the way appellate judges are selected in PA.  Read more in the media advisory, and we will post the release and pictures as soon as possible tomorrow. 

On Tuesday, March 18, 2008, a new Merit Selection initiative for the Pennsylvania appellate courts will be announced by Senators Jane Earll and Anthony Williams and Representatives David Steil and Josh Shapiro , prime sponsors of the legislation. The Philadelphia Inquirer, in a front page article, describes this as a “major push” for Merit Selection.

PMC and PMCAction are very excited about this opportunity to change the way Pennsylvania chooses appellate court judges. Merit Selection will eliminate the influence of money in the selection of judges; give more people the chance to serve as judges, including those without great financial resources or political connections; and make sure that qualifications and experience determine who becomes a judge. This will increase public confidence that our courts are fair and impartial and serve all Pennsylvanians, regardless of financial standing or political affiliation.

In future posts, we will describe the Merit Selection proposal and how it will benefit all Pennsylvanians.