I have read several news articles lately about the proposal to allow Gov. Spencer Cox the power to select a chief justice to the Utah State Supreme Court, with the thinly veiled “compromise” talk that it would only be for a single eight-year-term.
On the surface that sounds innocent enough and I have nothing against Governor Cox. However, this seems to me to be anything but a “compromise.” It is clearly a thumb on the scale, allowing ANY governor to tip the scales of the judicial branch in favor of the executive. Under such a plan, the recipient (whomever he or she is) would be beholden to the governor, either directly or indirectly. At the very least, the recipient would feel a tinge of loyalty to the man who appointed him/her.
I feel the Legislature AND the governor should jointly appoint the next chief justice. Say, have three contenders, and let the nominee with most support “win” the single eight-year-term.
James A. Marples
Provo