Court Appointees

Legislators in both Kansas and Missouri are talking about changing the way judges are selected.

Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt has characterized the current selection process as too secretive. Kansas legislators, who have been upset ever since state courts dictated the level of public school funding, have raised concerns about the influence of the Kansas Bar Association in the selection of judges.

Both Kansas and Missouri use selection panels to interview applicants and recommend a list of finalists to the governor. But too much of the process is closed to the public and there is the appearance, at least, that lawyers are in control.

Whether or how Kansas and Missouri decide to reform their systems of selecting judges, citizens do deserve more information on judicial nominees and they should have more input into the process. Because, once appointed, state judges and justices of the Supreme Court may remain in those positions for their lifetime.