judgesonmerit.org

It is hard to amend the Pennsylvania constitution.  Doing so requires passing the same piece of legislation twice — once each during successive two year sessions.  That’s only the beginning.  After second passage, the question goes on the ballot, where the people vote in a referendum on whether to approve the amendment.  This takes a long time and a lot of effort and  consideration.  And that’s entirely as it should be — amending the constitution deserves careful scrutiny and attention.

We think it’s time to get this process started so that the people of Pennsylvania can decide whether to change the way we select appellate court judges.  We’re in the early stages — we’re just working for the first consideration of Merit Selection legislation by the legislature.  But this would start the dialogue in Pennsylvania about a critical issue.

We welcome such a discussion.  We think it’s long overdue.  And we  know  many Pennsylvanians do as well.  So, we hope the legislature will get it started so that Pennsylvanians can ultimately make this important decision for themselves.

In a letter to the editor published this weekend in the Philadelphia Inquirer, we call upon the legislature to consider the Merit Selection bills before the summer recess. We understand that changing the way we select appellate judges is a complex issue that needs examination and discussion. We just want the opportunity to have that discussion.

“It’s time we got the chance to show we want something different than the broken electoral system. But first, the legislature must act.” Visit this page to learn about how you can tell the legislature you want a chance to talk about Merit Selection.

In his Philadelphia Daily News column, John Baer laments the lack of legislative action on various reform proposals. Baer notes that some reform measures passed, such as the Open Records law, but argues that “these merely bring Pennsylvania a few of the basics of a decent democracy. Efforts at real reform lie dying.”

Baer is correct. We’re approaching the summer recess with many issues still in a holding pattern. Several of these issues require constitutional amendments, which must be passed before the summer recess in order to have enough time for the constitutionally-mandated publication to occur. This includes both legislative redistricting and Merit Selection of appellate judges.

There’s still time left for real reform. Legislative hearings where different groups could discuss Merit Selection would be an excellent step forward. As the pressure to pass the new budget becomes more urgent, its important that our state legislators know that we want reform to stay on the agenda. Tell them it’s not too late.

Calling all supporters of Merit Selection: We need your help!

As you know, changing the way Pennsylvania selects its appellate judges is a lengthy process. Right now, to keep moving forward, HB 2488 needs to be heard in the Judiciary Committee.

Please contact the members of the House Judiciary Committee. Ask them for a hearing on HB 2488, and ask them to support Merit Selection of appellate judges in Pennsylvania so that Pennsylvanians will have the opportunity to vote on this important subject in a constitutional referendum.

The members of the House Judiciary Committee are listed below. Click on the their names to obtain their contact information.

Majority:

• Rep. Thomas Caltagirone, D-Berks, Chairman
• Rep. Daylin Leach, D-Montgomery, Secretary
• Rep. Kathy Manderino, D-Montgomery, Subcommittee Chairman on Family Law
• Rep. John Pallone, D-Armstrong, Subcommittee Chairman on Crime and Corrections
• Rep. Don Walko, D-Allegheny, Subcommittee Chairman on Courts
• Rep. Lisa Bennington, D-Allegheny
• Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny
• Rep. Harold James, D-Philadelphia
• Rep. Deberah Kula, D-Fayette
• Rep. Bryan Lentz, D-Delaware
• Rep. Joseph Petrarca, D-Armstrong
• Rep. Sean Ramaley, D-Allegheny
• Rep. Greg Vitali, D-Delaware
• Rep. Chelsa Wagner, D-Allegheny
• Rep. Jesse White, D-Allegheny
• Rep. Jewell Williams, D-Philadelphia

Minority

• Rep. Ron Marsico, R-Dauphin, Chairman
• Rep. Tom Creighton, R-Lancaster, Subcommittee Chariman on Courts
• Rep. Will Gabig, R-Cumberland, Subcommittee Chairman on Crime and Corrections
• Rep. Glenn Grell, R-Cumberland, Subcommittee Chairman on Family Law
• Rep. Craig Dally, R-Northampton
• Rep. John Evans, R-Crawford
• Rep. Kate Harper, R-Montgomery
• Rep. Beverly Mackereth, R-York
• Rep. Carl Mantz, R-Berks
• Rep. Bernie O’Neill, R-Buck
• Rep. Tina Pickett, R-Bradford
• Rep. Todd Rock, R-Franklin
• Rep. Katie True, R-Lancaster