Supreme Court Shakeup: Gormley and Kistler nominations

**proformica** · February 14th, 2015, 01:27 AM

Gov. Wolf has made two nominations for Pa. Supreme Court, Duquesne law school dean Ken Gormley, author of a treatise on the Pennsylvania Constitution, and Centre County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Thomas Kistler, original condemnor of Pa. residents carrying concealed firearms with reciprocated licenses of other states. The aim is to get confirmation by the state Senate by Mar. 9, beginnning of the next term of court. Costa and Corman made the picks. What do we know about the 2A/sec.21 position of these nominees, and any of their past official acts related to firearms? It seems like time is of the essence to learn about them and contact our senators, to say for/against.

**JenniferG** · February 14th, 2015, 04:19 AM

If Wolf nominated them they probably believe that only idiots believe the Constitution means anything. Karl Marx would probably be to right of these people.

***Klutch*** · February 14th, 2015, 08:14 AM

As much as I don't like hearing this the people of our great state elected this waste into office. PA is quickly becoming an OBAMAnation! Thanks Gov.

**bigandy1966** · February 14th, 2015, 09:42 AM

Hmmm what a surprise hes appointing his legacy so soon after swearing in. This is a bigger cup of poison than just electing coyote. Ten Years the guys get to serve, unless they hit 70 first. All you Corbett haters, go ahead and choke on these turds for ten years. And it just gets better and better. Coyote has another three whole years left in his term, providing he doesn't get reelected.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court consists of seven justices, each elected to ten year terms. Supreme Court judicial candidates may run on party tickets. The justice with the longest continuous service on the court automatically becomes Chief Justice. Justices must step down from the Supreme Court when they reach the age of 70, although they may continue to serve part-time as "senior justices" on panels of the Commonwealth's lower appellate courts until they reach 78, the age of mandatory retirement

at least we can impeach these guys though, unlike the Attorney General.

Courtesy of Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme...f_Pennsylvania

**mikelets456** · February 14th, 2015, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by bigandy1966

Hmmm what a surprise hes appointing his legacy so soon after swearing in. This is a bigger cup of poison than just electing coyote. Ten Years the guys get to serve, unless they hit 70 first. All you Corbett haters, go ahead and choke on these turds for ten years. And it just gets better and better. Coyote has another three whole years left in his term, providing he doesn't get reelected.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court consists of seven justices, each elected to ten year terms. Supreme Court judicial candidates may run on party tickets. The justice with the longest continuous service on the court automatically becomes Chief Justice. Justices must step down from the Supreme Court when they reach the age of 70, although they may continue to serve part-time as "senior justices" on panels of the Commonwealth's lower appellate courts until they reach 78, the age of mandatory retirement

at least we can impeach these guys though, unlike the Attorney General.

Courtesy of Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme...f_Pennsylvania

Correct me if I'm wrong but these appointee positions are up for election this November, correct?

**PocketProtector** · February 14th, 2015, 10:34 AM

But but but Corbet cut indoctrination funding ya know.

**proformica** · February 14th, 2015, 03:25 PM

Apologies. The appointees would sit until Jan 2016, when this year's elected would take those seats. Gormley and Kistler are said to have pledged not to run for the election this year. Kistler is R and Gormley is D, which is why this is being touted as a bipartisan move, and why Corman and Costa are mentioned (senate majority and minority leader, right?) I do not think it is insubstantial that their tenure is less than a year or that they won't be returning for this ten years. Couldn't it be a matter of one or a handful of cases to change everything?

**Yellowfin** · February 14th, 2015, 08:27 PM

Time to work up a recall provision bill?

**proformica** · February 22nd, 2015, 06:21 AM

I called Jake Corman's office at week's end to ask when the confirmation vote is anticipated, and after the calltaker said he needed to look into it, returned my call and told me nothing is known about anything, that it all simply needs done by March 9. How is it that the office of the Senate Majority Leader and the head of the Rules and Executive Nominations Committee has no idea about the process that is going to occur and then wrap up in only days?

It turns out that on Feb. 18, the R&ENs Committee rereferred the nomination to the Judiciary Committee. The Exec. Nominations Calendar shows quite a number of nominees to take care of Monday, Feb. 23, and the Senate doesn't start until 1 p.m.! i can't find anything thay suggests there is a time period alloted for hearings or any vote to be taken, withtin the Jud. Committee or the entire Senate.

If anyone is more familiar with the process, it would be helpful to know what is about to happen, in case it is significant. Calling around the day of a significant event will probably be futile, for anyone whom might want to observe or influence the process. I thank you ahead of time for letting us know!