Manchin proposes public financing for Supreme Court elections
by admin on 15/01/10 at 6:10 am
The Charleston Gazette
By The Associated Press
January 14, 2010
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Joe Manchin and the state Supreme Court hope to shore up public confidence in a West Virginia judicial system that has been scrutinized by the nation’s highest court and branded a “hellhole” by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Manchin wants to allow for public financing for the two state Supreme Court elections in 2012, with an eye toward addressing fears that West Virginia justices can be bought by wealthy campaign donors.
The court, meanwhile, plans to release a proposed set of rules by early February aimed to address concerns that the state lacks an effective process for reviewing decisions made by circuit courts.
Both strategies come after years of bad press for the state’s courts, which have been criticized by public interest groups and business lobbies.
In the most high profile rebuke, the U.S. Supreme Court last year faulted state Chief Justice Brent Benjamin for failing to remove himself from a multimillion-dollar appeal involving the company of his top 2004 campaign supporter. The court ruled that elected judges must step aside if campaign donations are likely to create the perception of bias.
In his State of the State address Wednesday, Manchin said public financing for Supreme Court justices will eliminate that perception.
