Two former Tennessee Supreme Court justices are taking bipartisan shots at General Assembly legislation setting up a three-judge panel to hear constitutional challenges, and they’re calling for the governor to veto the plan.
William M. “Mickey” Barker, a former chief justice who served on the court from 1998 to 2008 after an appointment by Republican Gov. Don Sundquist, and Penny White, appointed by Democratic Gov. Ned McWherter in 1994 until she failed to be retained in 1996, both say the plan adopted by the legislature last week is unworkable, unnecessary and politically motivated.
“I am very, very disappointed that legislation was passed. It just reeked of partisanship. For years and years we’ve had the system that does work,” said Barker, now a Chattanooga attorney.
Likewise, White, a University of Tennessee School of Law professor, believes the plan will cause inefficiency, delay and higher costs.
“If there was a problem, it’s not a well-thought-out way to solve the problem. But there is no problem in my way of seeing,” White said.