Reforming judicial selection process amendment not voted on

Intro: One Senator led a daylong debate that delayed voting on a proposed constitutional amendment.

Nathan Higgins has more from the State Capitol.

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St. Louis Republican Senator Jim Lembke declined to recognize the debate as a filibuster.

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Description: "I think it's my yearly attempt at educating the public."

Not many senators were present for the debate on the amendment which reforms the process of how Missouri judges are selected.

The amendment would increase the size of the Judicial Appellate Commission by adding two people.

Lembke said he has a problem with the process.

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Description: "These people are deciding who will sit on the bench and they have a vested interest in the decisions that come from that bench."

The Senate eventually adjourned without voting on the amendment.

In Jefferson City, I'm Nathan Higgins, News Radio 11-20 KMOX.

Intro: Although many Senators were not present, one Senator successfully changed an amendment during a daylong debate.

Nathan Higgins has more from the State Capitol.

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The amendment would reform the Appellate Judicial Commission, a group of lawyers and citizens who are involved in selecting Missouri judges.

The amendment, brought forward by Northwest Missouri Repulican Senator Brad Lager adds two citizens to the commission, which he says makes it more representative of the state.

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Description: "I believe two fundamental things about this process. One, I believe it should be more open, greater transparency. And number two, I believe it should be driven if nothing else in vote, by rural citizens, not lawyers."

For now, the Senate has delayed voting with only two weeks left in the legislative session.

In Jefferson City, I'm Nathan Higgins, News Radio 11-20 KMOX.

Intro: One Senator said he wants to save a non-partisan judicial selection committee, but the Senate delayed a vote on the issue.

Nathan Higgins has more from the State Capitol.

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A day long debate in the Senate delayed a vote on a constitutional amendment that reforms the selection process for Missouri judges.

Joplin Republican Senator Gary Nodler supports the resolution and called upon other Senators to help fix the non-partisan judicial process.

Nodler said he believes the process has become too political.

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Description: "I don't want to kill the non-partisan court plan, I want to save it. Save it from excesses, save it from abuses, save it from distortions, save it from misuses."

Because of a day long debate led by St. Louis Republican Senator Jim Lembke, the Senate did not vote.

In Jefferson City, I'm Nathan Higgins, News Radio 11-20 KMOX.