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Mary, you're rght this does target Shirley but... while she has, as you say penned some biting dissents, her actual influence on final decisons in the big cases like Act 10 and Voter ID has been miinimal since the conservative majority has been in charge. I am not sure the age limit in the long run will have a big impact in the future and it is of course possible the final bill will include a grandmothering clause that exempts Shirley. I think the other high court reforms that are being contemplated are more significant . It's almost guaranteed that the constitutional amendment that requires the court to elect it's own chief for a two year term will be on the ballot along with Anne Walsh Bradley and her opponent James Daley. And it's possible a bill the State Bar is drafting to limit justices to one 16 year term will be considered this year. That one is aimed at limiting the impact of money in judical races by insuring that justices aren't looking ahead to their reelection when they rule on cases. The Bar designers of the proposal say it will help justices remain justices instead of having to be politicians to stay on the bench. I think the age limit in the future will affect conservative and liberal judges equally. I don't think conservatives are any less likely to live to 90 and beyond than liberals are. And there are plenty of young lawyers and judges on both sides of the ideological divide who can run for a 16 year tern and have an impact on shaping the laws of the state. My two cents
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