The Oklahoma House has overwhelmingly defeated a measure that would change how attorneys are appointed to a commission that nominates members of the state Supreme Court and appellate courts.
House members voted 65-31 Thursday to kill the Senate-passed bill after opponents said it was an attempt to politicize the judicial selection process.
Currently, six members of the 15-member commission are attorneys elected by members of the Oklahoma Bar Association. The bill would have made three of those positions appointed by the speaker of the House and the other three appointed by the president pro tem of the Senate.
Its author, Rep. Mark McCullough of Sapulpa, says members of the bar association have developed a subtle bias that is not shared by most Oklahomans.
_____________________________
KGOU is a community-supported news organization and relies on contributions from readers and listeners to fulfill its mission of public service to Oklahoma and beyond. Donate online, or by contacting our Membership department.
