Here are three more items from the Honolulu media about the case in which the Star-Advertiser is seeking the Judicial Selection Commission lists from the Governor (Star-Advertiser v. Abercrombie, No. 11-1-1871-08). Disclosure: we represent the Star-Advertiser in this case.
- Governor still unsure of appeal on judicial disclosure – the Star-Advertiser‘s report on yesterday’s statement by the AG that the Governor isn’t sure whether he’s going to appeal the circuit court’s grant of summary judgment that he must disclose the list.
- Off The Beat: Should OIP Be Patting Itself on the Back? – Honolulu Civil Beat‘s editorial tracking the arc of the case, including the drama surrounding the Office of Information Practice. After one OIP director was replaced after the office issued an opinion about the JSC list, her replacement pretty much washed the OIP’s hands of the matter saying there was nothing more it could do, and the only alternative left was to get a court ruling. Now that the court has ruled, the OIP is saying the process worked. Bottom line to Civil Beat: OIP should either “stand up and be counted,” or not pat itself on the back.
- Strengthen open record office – the Star-Advertiser‘s editorial: “In a stark rebuke of Gov. Neil Abercrombie, the Judicial Selection Commission has decided to make public the names of finalist candidates for future judgeships, lists that the governor had tried to keep secret. The commission’s policy change is a major victory for open government and a nudge to the governor to recognize and adhere to the public’s right to know.”
This one isn’t over yet, folks, so stay tuned.