The Tenth Circuit on Thursday issued no published opinions and nine unpublished opinions.
Unpublished
Video: Campaign Finance and SB 203: “Is this genie out of the bottle now?”
July 9, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Leave it to the U.S. Supreme Court to make campaign finance law “hot.” Today it was just that during a lunchtime panel in our classroom, which included Senator Morgan Carroll, Secretary Bernie Buescher, Scott Gessler, Martha Tierney and Richard Westfall. In 90 minutes, the panel discussed the intent, implementation and implications of SB 203, Colorado’s response to the Citizens United case that came out earlier this year.
Richard Westfall, video excerpt below, spoke last and used some of his time to make general observations about what we heard from the panel.
Richard Westfall, video excerpt below, spoke last and used some of his time to make general observations about what we heard from the panel.
He complimented the bill’s sponsor, Senator Carroll, noting that she has a ““very deep understanding of the nuances… of campaign finance law.”
He also pointed out that the panel might be able to boast at least one “first,” referring to the joint appearance of Secretary Buescher and Scott Gessler, who are both vying for the Secretary of State position in this year’s election:
I don’t recall ever, in my couple of decades of being involved in the political process, ever being on a panel where two candidates for the same office spoke—and spoke eloquently. With, again, deep understanding and deep sensitivity to what they’re doing. I think this is a first in Colorado history…
And, finally, he laid out the debate we watched, which he characterized as a “very deep substantive debate on, ‘Is this genie out of the bottle now?,’” or, more specifically, a debate over:
[w]hether or not political parties—like this Logan County filing that supposedly we have—can also create a separate, standalone Independent Expenditure Committee and get out from underneath the… “source and contribution limits.”… And say, this is a separately regulated thing, and it’s called an Independent Expenditure Committee, and all these regulations that relate to political parties, including limitations on corporate contributions—they don’t apply anymore.
This program will soon be available by MP3 and online video.
Watch more below:
Update: Judge Sean Connelly to Leave Court of Appeals Bench
July 9, 2010 by Leave a Comment
The Colorado Court of Appeals Judge Sean Connelly has opted not to seek retention in the upcoming November election and will retire from the bench effective January 11, 2011, State Judicial announced. Judge Connelly has elected to step down from the court of appeals at the end of his two-year provisional term.
The 14-member Supreme Court Nominating Commission will meet in August, on a date yet to be announced, to review applications and submit the names of suitable candidates to Gov. Ritter. The governor will then name his appointee within 15 days.
The annual salary is $134,128. Judge Connelly’s successor will begin his or her term in January 2011.
All attorneys licensed to practice in Colorado for at least five years and who are registered electors in the State of Colorado are eligible to apply for the judgeship. Detailed information about the Colorado Court of Appeals and the application are available online. Application packages (consisting of one original application plus 15 copies) must be received by the office of Commission ex officio chair, Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey, 101 W. Colfax Ave., Eighth Floor, no later than Monday, July 26 at 5:00 p.m.
The Commission is also charged with recommending nominees to succeed Colorado Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Mullarkey, who last month announced her November 30 retirement from the high court bench. Individuals interested in being considered for both the supreme court and court of appeals positions are required to submit just one application package for both judgeships. The application package should include a cover letter stating the applicant’s intention to be considered for both the supreme court and court of appeals vacancy, as well as a similar notation on the application itself.
Prior to his 2008 appointment to the court of appeals, Judge Connelly was in private practice and served as a prosecutor in the U.S. Department of Justice in D.C. and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Denver.
(image source: State Judicial)
