2012.01.24
Lawmakers postpone judicial elections until Thursday
The partisan dispute in the Senate over judicial elections won’t halt business in the General Assembly.
Not today, anyway.
Both house have agreed to postpone consideration of judicial appointments until Thursday. So normal legislative business will resume this afternoon, a little behind schedule.
Senate Democrats haven’t budged from their position on judicial vacancies. They only want to hold a vote on 47 incumbent judges who are up for reappointment. They don’t want to vote on filling two vacant judgeships — posts that would be filled by former House members Clay Athey, R-Front Royal, and Clarence “Bud” Phillips. D-Dickenson County.
– Michael Sluss
Good. Judicial positions should be selected on the basis of the public interest. There is absolutely no reason to appoint a former member of the General Assembly to the bench just so that he can enhance his retirement; the justice system is too important for that.
Comment by Chip Woodrum — January 24, 2012 @ 6:22 pm