An issue simmering below the surface for a few years has become a part of the gubernatorial campaign.
Republican Kenny Hulshof proposes changing the Missouri Non-Partisan Court Plan . Hulshof has proposed a number of reforms, but the biggest shake-up would be to the Missouri Plan. In particular, Hulshof would replace lawyers on the Appellate Judicial Commission with retired judges, replace the Chief Justice with a retired Supreme Court Judge and give the governor veto power over the panel submitted by the commission.
Hulshof says there’s a disorder in the state court system, a statement flatly rejected by Missouri Bar President Tom Burke. Burke says the state has an excellent judiciary system and the Missouri Plan works.
Burke dislikes the proposal that would allow the governor to choose his own nominee subject to Senate confirmation if he cannot reach agreement with the commission. He calls it a bad idea that would inject partisan politics into the system.
Burke says the Missouri Plan has served the state well and should be retained.