Bill proposing Supreme Court appointments to be introduced this week

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Legislation calling for state Supreme Court justices to be appointed instead of elected could be introduced this week.

State Sens. Tim Cullen, D-Janesville, and Dale Schultz, R-Richland Center, are looking for co-sponsors this week for their bill that would change the hiring process for the state’s highest court.

Depending on their success, the bill could be introduced to the state legislature later this week, said a Cullen spokesperson.

The bill would institute an appointment process based on merit versus the judges seeking the positions via public election.

The timing is right to pitch the plan, Cullen has said, on the heels of contention among the justices, most notably the investigation into Justice Ann Walsh Bradley’s allegation that Justice David Prosser tried to choke her during an argument in her state Capitol office June 13.

Prosser denied the incident and no charges were filed against him.

“The big thing is the public is focused on the court,” Cullen said previously, “and if they are talking about it, it’s a good idea to get (the proposed switch) out there now.”