OLYMPIA— Choosing Washington’s Supreme Court justices is among the most important decisions voters will make in the 2010 elections. With many laws passed by the Legislature and through the initiative process ending up before the Supreme Court, voters need to educate themselves on the justices who sit on the state’s highest court.
The Association of Washington Business sheds light on the records of Washington’s Supreme Court justices through its just-released 2010 Judicial Scorecard & Guide to the Washington Supreme Court.
Compiled every two years by AWB General Counsel Kris Tefft, the Scorecard reviews Washington Supreme Court decisions in the top areas directly affecting the state’s business climate, including tax and fiscal policy, workers’ compensation and safety, torts and insurance, labor and employment, and environment and land use. Justices receive individual “pro-business” scores within each issue area, as well as an overall score for the period, reflecting how often AWB agreed with the justice’s position in a case.
“The purpose of the Scorecard is two-fold,” said Tefft, who has compiled the Scorecard since 2004. “On one hand, it is a service to educate the business community and the general public about the Supreme Court justices and their opinions. On the other hand, it also addresses the Supreme Court about issues important to the business community.”
In 2010, Justice Jim Johnson scored highest with an overall rating of 85 percent. Justice Gerry Alexander came in second at 69 percent, while Justices Charles Johnson and Richard Sanders tied for third with 67 percent. Running for re-election this year, Jim Johnson and Sanders received AWB’s endorsement for the November general election.
Justice Debra Stephens scored lowest at 39 percent. Chief Justice Barbara Madsen and Justice Tom Chambers tied at 41 percent while Justice Susan Owens received 52 percent.
“The Scorecard is an important tool for evaluating the performance of the Supreme Court and its impact on the business community,” said Tefft. “The legal climate for job providers in Washington is an important element of our overall competitiveness. It is essential that employers and the public pay attention.”
View the Scorecard online at http://www.washingtonbusinessvotes.com/judicialreview/.
About the Association of Washington Business
Formed
in 1904, the Association of Washington Business is Washington’s oldest
and largest statewide business association, and includes more than 7,000
members representing 650,000 employees. AWB serves as both the state’s
chamber of commerce and the manufacturing and technology association.
While its membership includes major employers like Boeing, Microsoft and
Weyerhaeuser, 90 percent of AWB members employ fewer than 100 people.
More than half of AWB’s members employ fewer than 10. For more about
AWB, visit www.awb.org.
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