HB 111 update (re: 4/29/19 Pa Pro Life email)

On Apr 29, 2019 1:14 PM, Maria <Gallagher@paprolife.org> wrote:

Synopsis:  The effort is underway to take away the right of the voters to select judges.  If HB 111 passes, judicial finalists would be chosen by an unelected commission, the governor would choose fro

Dear Pro-Life Leader,

 

You're having an impact! Thank you for calling members of the PA House Judiciary Committee and urging them to vote no on House Bill 111, because you don't want your right to vote for judges to be taken away. The American Family Association of PA has also come out against this dangerous bill. If you scroll down, you can vote in their poll regarding voting for judges.

 

If you haven't called members of the PA House Judiciary Committee, there's still time! (See contact information below) A vote on the bill is scheduled for Tuesday.

 

Take care,

 

Maria V. Gallagher

Legislative Director

Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation

www.paprolife.org

717-541-0034

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:  The effort is underway to take away the right of the voters to select judges.  If HB 111 passes, judicial finalists would be chosen by an unelected commission, the governor would choose from that list and the State Senate would confirm or deny the placement.  There are many other troublesome changes in this constitutional amendment! Share on Social Media:   Facebook  and  Twitter  AFA of PA ACTION ALERT April 29, 2019 Issue What Merit Selection of Judges Could Mean to PA Details Currently Pennsylvanians get to vote on judges.   In fact, on May 21st we will be voting on statewide Superior Court judges as well as lower court judges.  Pennsylvania is one of only a handful of states that elect judges.  However, there are some who want to change all that and put the placement of judges into the hands of commissions and politicians!  What just happened in Kansas is a perfect example of why judges should be elected and not appointed by politicians: The Kansas Supreme Court, by a 6 to 1 decision, just found that there is a right to abortion in that state's constitution!  Section 1 of the Kansas Bill of Rights say, "All men are possessed of equal and inalienable natural rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."  The judges concluded that this section gave Kansans the ability to control one's own body! According to their website the court, "consists of seven justices, each of whom is selected by the governor. The governor appoints from a list of three qualified individuals submitted by the Supreme Court Nominating Commission. After the first year in office, a justice is subject to a retention vote in the next general election. If a majority of electors votes to retain the justice, he or she remains in office for a term of six years. Justices are subject to a similar retention vote at the conclusion of each term." HB 111  has been introduced and is currently in the House Judiciary Committee.   It is a constitutional amendment which would, among other changes, eliminate the direct election of judges and put their selection in the hands of a commission, the Governor and the State Senate. Action Steps A committee hearing is scheduled for tomorrow in room 205 of the Ryan Office Building. Contact the Judiciary Committee and let the members know merit selection of judges is not a good idea - The voters should be given the ability to vote for judges. An unelected commission, that is not accountable to the people, should not be given the authority to choose who will be the "finalists" to fill open judicial seats. At a minimum, please contact the Chair and Democratic Chair with this message. Chair:  Rob Kauffman --  (717) 264-3943 Democratic Chair:  Tim Briggs  -- (610) 768-3135 Majority Members: Kate Klunk - (717) 630-8942 Sheryl Delozier - (717) 761-4665 Tedd Nesbit - (724) 458-4911 Todd Stephens - (215) 368-5165 Matthew Dowling - 724) 438-6100 Torren Ecker - (717) 259-7805 Jonathan Hershey - (717) 436-6001 Barry Jozwiak - (610) 378-4407 Jerry Knowles - 570) 668-1240 Natalie Mihalek - (724) 942-2045 Paul Schemel - (717) 749-7384 Tarah Toohil - (570) 453-1344 Jesse Topper - (814) 623-9097 Justin Walsh - (724) 929-2655 Minority Members: Melissa Shusterman - (484) 200-8260 Tina Davis -  (267) 580-2660 Jason Dawkins - (215) 744-7901 Gerald Mullery - (570) 740-7031 Ryan Bizzarro - (814) 835-2880 Summer Lee -  412) 273-3400 Dan Miller - 412) 343-3870 Christopher Rabb - (215) 242-7300 Mike Zabel - 484) 200-8262 In His Service,   Diane Diane Gramley Poll:  Go to our website to take part in this week's online poll (located on right side bar):   Should judges be elected by the people or left up to commissions, the Governor and politicians in Harrisburg? Donate:  You can help the AFA of PA continue its work by making a tax-deductible contribution.  You can send a check or money order to P.O. Box 1048, Franklin, PA   16323 or give securely online here