Today’s announcement that Supreme Judicial Court Justice Robert Cordy will retire in August means that Governor Baker will be appointing a majority of the SJC — and soon.
Justice Francis Spina turns 70 later this year, and Justices Margot Botsford and Geraldine Hines do so next year (March and October).
That was fast.
Please share widely!
If Scott Brown was governor, I’d be more concerned about the SJC turning into Court TV. But Baker is liable to pick responsible judges.
Is there, really, a divide in state courts between judicial philosophies?
Three out of the four majority justices in Goodridge were either Weld or Cellucci appointees. I’d be more worried if Baker was in the mold of Romney as opposed to the other two.
I’m going to disagree with the two commenters above that this is “no big deal” because I continue to be confused by how so many Democrats see nothing wrong with Baker. He won’t be appointing any extreme social conservative, but his appointees would be pro-business and anti-worker. And that’s not good for the future of our state.
Can you give examples of recent SJC cases that were anti-worker, so one may ascertain what that actually means?
The problem is another, I think – not pro business vs. pro worker, necessarily. The real divide among those entering the clutches of Massachusetts courts is between those who can really afford legal representation, and those who don’t. It’s rich versus poor, more than anything.
body to abuse have a say?
(i.e. The Governors Council)
In recent years, several new councillors have begun the work of restoring the office to its proper constitutional role and (I’ve been observing firsthand at every hearing) have been asking serious questions on a range of key issues. I’m running in the Governor’s Council 3rd District Democratic Primary this year to help them out. I have to do my part to secure justice for all in our Commonwealth and to represent the interests of my generation in the appointment of judges who will often serve 15-20 years. I’ve outlined an expansive platform of areas where I believe I can contribute new emphasis or support the councillors already probing those issues. These range from criminal justice reform, civil rights, and reproductive freedom – already popular topics – to some potential areas of emphasis for the Council such as environmental justice, civil liberties, and economic justice (including labor rights as mentioned above, but also housing and more). These are outlined in depth at http://www.billhumphrey.net/issues
I’ve been getting a very strong and positive response as I criss-cross the district talking to voters. The Council is finally turning a corner on its old reputation, and I hope to help finish that improvement process.