ADVISORY TO NEWS ASSIGNMENT EDITORS

WHAT: The Holden Public Policy Forum at Webster University will highlight the issue of judicial reform at its first event of the season. “Blind Justice: Missouri’s Judicial Selection Process” will consider the current judicial selection process for the Missouri Supreme Court, and whether that process should be considered for reform. James Harris, with Better Courts for Missouri, and Chip Robertson, representing Missourians for Fair and Impartial Courts, will join former Mo. Gov. Bob Holden for the town hall-styled event.

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 1, at 6 p.m.

WHERE: Webster University’s Emerson Library Conference Room, 101 Edgar Rd., in Webster Groves.

BACKGROUND: Judicial reform was recently sponsored by Better Courts for Missouri as a potential ballot measure for the November general election. The Office of the Missouri Secretary of State announced on Aug. 3 that supporters of the measure had not submitted enough valid signatures by the state’s early May filing deadline, and while the issue won’t formally go before Missouri voters, discussion of the issue is expected to continue.

The proposed constitutional amendment would allow the governor to select his or her own judge to rule on the Missouri Supreme Court. The state senate would then confirm the appointment of the judge, similar to the federal court’s process.

The Missourians for Fair and Impartial Courts Action Fund is opposed to the proposed measure, and supports the current judicial selection method, which relies on judicial panels to select nominees, which are then chosen by the governor.

Representatives of both organizations will discuss the topic with Gov. Holden, and take questions from the audience.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SEND A REPORTER AND PHOTOGRAPHER OR CAMERA CREW TO COVER THIS EVENT.

"Pizza and Politics" is a town hall-style meeting, moderated by Forum founder and former Mo. Gov. Bob Holden, where public policy makers, office-seekers, members of the community and students discuss the political process and key issues of the day.

The Holden Public Policy Forum at Webster University is a bi-partisan speaker series, created by former Mo. Gov. Bob Holden and Webster University to bring public policy leaders to St. Louis to discuss key national and international issues. For more information about the Holden Public Policy Forum, visit www.webster.edu/holdenppf.

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