Where is Bob Bullock when we need him?

In 1994, the late Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock led a group of lawmakers, judges and others in support of an effort to reform the selection process for statewide judicial candidates.

The purpose of Bullock’s judicial reform effort was to end the practice of forcing Texas’ highest judges and justices to become partisan politicians who accept campaign contributions from individuals, corporations, law firms and others who bring cases before their courts.

Bullock’s proposed judicial reforms were sorely needed earlier this month when the Texas Supreme Court ruled in favor of a Houston home builder who has given generous campaign contributions to all nine members of the state’s highest civil court.

The court overturned an $800,000 arbitration award to a Mansfield couple who claimed that home builder Bob Perry of Perry Homes had sold them a defective house.

The couple, Bob and Jane Cull, sued Perry Homes in an effort to get the home builder to make repairs to their retirement home. The case has been mired in the judicial system since 2000. Before the trial the Culls sought arbitration to avoid an even more expensive and drawn out legal fight.

After the Culls were awarded $800,000 by the arbiter, the home builder took them to court claiming that the arbitration was handled improperly. A district court and an appeals court ruled against the home builder who appealed to the Supreme Court.

According to published reports, Perry and members of his family have contributed $263,000 to members of the Supreme Court since 2000. The money was given to the justices directly and through a political action committee.

Whether the money given to the justices influenced the 5-4 decision in favor of the home builder cannot be determined. But there is no denying the appearance of impropriety in the ruling.

That alone should be reason enough to launch another effort to reform the selection process for statewide judicial candidates. The public must believe that the scales of justice are balanced.

If other states can do it, so can Texas.

Where is Bob Bullock when we need him?
http://www.wacotrib.com/opin/content/news/opinion/stories/2008/05/31/05312008wacedit.html#comment
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