HARRISBURG, April 21, 2010 - Senator Jim Ferlo (D-Allegheny/Armstrong/Westmoreland) today issued the following statement on the judicial merit selection issue:
“As a co-sponsor of Senate Bills 860 and 861, I’m very pleased to see Governor Rendell taking a leadership role in support of merit based selection of members of the judiciary for Commonwealth Court, Superior Court and Justices of the Supreme Court.
“The impact of the electoral system on the impartiality of judges puts the fairness of our courts in question and now requires judicial candidates, many already seated on the bench but aspiring to higher office, to raise millions of dollars to run their campaigns. Additionally, creating a nominating commission to determine the pool of candidates, with the governor and senate involved in their appointment and confirmation, adds an additional level of confidence to insure that the most qualified, experienced and respected attorneys and judges will be selected.
“I support the continued direct election of individuals to the Court of Common Pleas and it has been my experience that the electorate is much more likely to be aware and educated about local countywide candidates and the amount of funds needed to win a countywide seat are reasonable and attainable for any serious and qualified candidate.”
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