Posted on 03/24/2015 10:15:48 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
Madison -- Groups called on voters Monday to reject a proposed amendment to the Wisconsin constitution that would allow state Supreme Court justices to select their chief justice, rather than have the position go to the most senior member of the court.
If approved April 7, the change is expected to dislodge Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson from the court's top job. Abrahamson would remain on the high court but no longer have administrative control of it.
Mike Wilder of Wisconsin Voices said at a Capitol news conference that the current system -- where voters elected Abrahamson to a 10-year term in 2009 knowing she was chief -- is working.
"The voters of Wisconsin should be able to keep power to chose the chief justice, not a handful of judges," he said.
The groups represented at the news conference said the Republican-backed effort was a partisan attack on Abrahamson.
"It's quite clear Wisconsin is reaching a meltdown stage," said Bert Brandenburg, executive director of Justice at Stake, who called the proposal "pure political hardball."
GOP lawmakers approved the measure twice -- in 2013 and again this year -- which now sends it to voters for a final decision. Supporters have characterized the measure as one that makes the court fairer.
“Allowing the members of Wisconsin’s Supreme Court to choose their chief justice is a common sense reform that represents the democratic process at its very core,” said a January statement from Sen. Tom Tiffany (R-Hazelhurst), one of the measure's sponsors.
(Excerpt) Read more at jsonline.com ...
The article says “groups” are recommending a vote against this constitutional amendment, but it identifies only ONE group. I say vote FOR the amendment. Seniority is not a good reason to give someone the job Let them earn it on their own merit.
FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.
“”It’s quite clear Wisconsin is reaching a meltdown stage,” said Bert Brandenburg, executive director of Justice at Stake, who called the proposal “pure political hardball.”
Brandenburg is protecting “one of his own,” Abrahamson. They a both capos.
Refreshing to see anyone on our side who still knows how to play political hardball.
Judge Shirley Abrahamson is WELL past her ‘use-by’ date. She’s in her 80’s and has lost ALL CONTROL of the WI SC.
PLEASE vote for this on April 7th and vote for Judge James Daley to rid us of Ann Walsh Bradley - another kookburger Lib.
Did you watch the Gubenatorial swearing-in in Jan. 2015?
Judge Abrahamson is NOT going to ‘go quietly into the night’. She’s spunky and looks much younger than her 83 years. We need this amendment to give the Supreme Curt a chance to get out from under her autocratic thumb.
And we need ‘crazy lady’, Ann Walsh Bradly to be retired immediately. Vote James Daly and vote YEs on the referendum.
BUMP!
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