By THEO EMERY • Staff Writer • September 10, 2008
Over the summer, lawmakers gathered in Legislative Plaza to pore over the workings of state departments, boards and commissions, a tedious committee process that keeps government working and prevents dozens of agencies each year from fading out of existence.
But one entity that lawmakers have yet to review is the Judicial Selection Commission, a body that winnows down candidate lists for appellate judgeships in Tennessee, and sends nominations to the governor for appointment.
The commission, which is at the heart of the state's judicial appointment system, is technically in what is called "wind-down." If the legislature fails to renew it, the commission will vanish next July, and every state judge — from the Supreme Court to Juvenile Court — will have to run for election.
