Missouri Constitutional Amendment 3 causes controversy

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Intro:	Missouri voters will get the chance to weigh in on altering the make up of the nominating commission for appelate court judges in November.
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Wrap: If voters approve Amendment three, Missouri's governor would have greater pull over appointing nominating commission members.

The amendment would allow the governor four appointees to the commission rather than three, along with other changes.

The Missouri Bar Association President Lynn Whaley Vogel says it makes little sense to change the plan.

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Description: "No one has proposed a valid reason why this amendment was proposed, and why the citizens of Missouri should change their constitution. The current plan works."

On the other hand, St. Louis County Republican Senator Jim Lembke says the amendment would allow Missouri citizens to hold the Governor accountable for those he appoints to the committee.

From the state Capitol, I'm Christine Roto.

Intro:	Missouri voters will have the option to alter Missouri's court sytem in November.
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Wrap: Amendment three would allow the governor four appointees to the nominating commission, along with other changes.

St. Louis County Senator Jim Lembke says the current court system does not provide a check on the judicial system in Missouri.

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Description: "We have the plan called the Missouri Plan, and it is currently controlled by one special interest group, the trial attorneys."

Lembke says the governor would be held accountble for the appointees, restoring a check between branches of government.

On the other side, the Missouri Bar Association president Lynn Whaley Vogel says the plan does not need to be amended because there is nothing wrong with it.

From the state Capitol, I'm Christine Roto.

Intro:	The Missouri Non-Partisan Court Plan faces potential changes in November.
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Wrap: Amendment three would allow Missouri's governor greater pull over appointing nominating commission members.

The governor would be allowed four appointees rather than three.

The Missouri Bar Association's President says no one has come up with a proper reason why the plan needs to be amended.

St. Louis County Senator Jim Lembke disagrees and says there is currently no way to hold the Missouri judicial system accountable.

Actuality:	LEMBK03.WAV
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Description: "In turn, the people of Missouri would be able to hold the governor accountable, you know for the people that he puts on that commission, restoring a check between the executive branch of government and the judicial branch."

From the state Capitol, I'm Christine Roto.