Springfield, MO – Today U.S. Senate candidate Sarah Steelman announced that she supports Missouri Senate’s SJR 51 to modify the“Missouri Plan” for selecting the Appellate Court Judges.
“It is refreshing to see that not all government is as dysfunctional as Congress and the Federal government,” said Steelman, “SJR 51 is a reasonable approach and a fair compromise. It preserves the independence of the judiciary, while removing control of the process from lawyers and judges, and gives a fair voice to all Missourians.”
Steelman continued, “At the Federal level, we have seen the dangers of overreaching judges. It is important that judges uphold our laws and our constitutions and not legislate. The best way to assure accountability is to give the people a voice on who those judges are. The peoples’ voice in the process is who they elect Governor.”
Currently a commission of seven individuals meets to fill vacancies on the appellate courts. Three members are chosen by the Governor, three members are chosen by Missouri lawyers, and the seventh member is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. They take applications from across the State and send three names to the Governor’s desk. The Governor chooses one of those three to become the next Supreme Court Justice.
“Under our current plan, members of the Missouri Bar and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court can control the list of individuals from which the Governor can pick his nominee. It is unusual in a Democratic system of government, that one branch can pick its own successors. I believe the modifications, which must be approved by a vote of Missourians, make for a fairer system. The New Plan will recognize that lawyers and judges are experts in the law, but justice is the concern of all Missourians,” concluded Steelman.
***Update**
News has just been released for you Missourians out there that the Tea Party Express and it’s leader, Amy Kremer will join Sarah Steelman at numerous Tea Party rallies on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Please try and attend if at all possible!
Click Here for Dates, Times, and Locations.
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