WSMV Channel 4 Gov. Haslam asks for judiciary changes

Flanked by House Speaker Beth Harwell and Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, Gov. Bill Haslam held a joint news conference Wednesday morning at the State Capitol to ask the state Legislature to make changes in the judiciary system.

FULL PRESS CONFERENCE

Haslam specifically is asking that the way judges are selected should be changed, which would take a constitutional amendment.

The governor says the change would make judges be nominated by a commission, appointed by governor and also elected in a retention election.

"I believe the current process has worked well during my time in office, and I've been pleased with both the quality of candidates and the process for choosing them.  The judiciary is the third and equal branch of government, and we are here to make this recommendation because we believe it is important for our Constitution to clearly reflect the reality of how we select judges in Tennessee," said Haslam.

The amendment would apply to all state Supreme Court justices and appellate judges.

"The importance of a highly functioning and independent judicial branch is crucial to the small, efficient government our unified Republican majority continues to bring to Tennessee," Ramsey said. "Our current method of choosing judges is a very good system, but it is not constitutional. This effort will ensure that we finally have a constitutional method of choosing judges. I am proud to stand with the governor and the speaker in favor of a judicial selection process that is fair, effective and constitutional."

"I am proud to join today with Governor Haslam and Lt. Gov. Ramsey to offer this solution on the issue of judicial elections," Harwell said.  "I am confident that what we are proposing today will maintain the integrity of the judicial system while respecting the state's constitution.  I want to thank my colleagues for their tireless work and dedication regarding the issue of judicial selection in Tennessee."

If the legislation passes, it will go on the ballot in 2014.

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