SENATE DEBATE
2:07:29: Court Clerk calls the O'Lear renomination matter
2:07:43: Sen. Coleman recuses himself per Senate Rule 15
2:07:55: Sen. Doyle: voting yes; but noting concerns about large GAL fees and the family law system; stating such concerns need to be addressed by the legislature; stating that Judge O'Lear got "excellent" ratings in evals by Judicial Branch.
2:13:30: Sen. Kissel: voting yes; citing advice of Atty Frank Santi; noting high cost of divorce litigation; citing his role in creation of GAL program; stating it worked for 20 yrs, but now "a handful of GALs have used this as a cottage industry,"; he views bad GALs as a minority not a systemic problem; noting litigants were threatened with jail for refusing or being unable to pay GAL bills;
2:18:05: Sen. Kissel (continuing) cited Chief Admin. Judge Carroll for the position that citizens have been putting judges personal info on FaceBook and/or the internet; distinguishing b/w proper and improper protests. Stating it takes a lot for him to oppose a judge, saying he cannot remember the last time he voted against a judge. [Ed.: I am not aware of any such activities.]
2:21:50: Sen Kissel (continuing): stating that while he supports the judge, he understands the need to reform family court and committing to address it this session.
2:22:30: Sen. Fasano: explaining he had a friend & constituent who spent "well over $300k" just on GAL & AMC fees, saying "that's crazy, that's ludicrous, that's insane". He notes the criticism of the judges, but he says it's the fault of the legislature and the Bar Assoc. Says the "system is out of control." He notes how "everybody knows each other and everybody's friendly with each other." He says the issue has boiled over over the last 2 years. Says the judge is just following the law. [Ed.: Sen. Fasano seems unaware that most operative "law" in this area consists of judge-created rules and immunities for divorce industry operatives from other laws.] Criticizes the failure of the Bar Assoc to address this. Reform "is going to be in our front door this session." "If people won't regulate their own system, then we will."
2:27:10: Sen. Fasano (continuing): Says citizens should not be putting judges pictures & salary and family info & derogatory comments about judges on FaceBook. [Ed.: I am not aware of ANY such situations.] Criticizes protestors for failing to control how they express their concerns. "If they are listening to this, tone it down because we get the message."
2:28:44: Sen. Witkos: Notes that only recently has legislature started to address concerns about family court issues, including GAL fees and being denied access to their kids. Cites mental health issues among constituents, including one whose ex was bipolar. His GAL bills are "almost $100k." But he lost his house in part b/c of GAL fees. Says "GALs don't even know who they are representing." Notes judges have power to remove bad GALs, but they refuse to do that. Notes how divorce industry operatives know each other. But states they have to deal with the judges. Notes parents "are going back to court every single day, and their bills are getting larger and larger and larger. And there is one person in that courtroom who can stop that from happening. And that's the judge. And in my opinion they are allowing it to continue."
2:32:10: Sen. Welch (voting no): Fears the discussion has become about GAL issues rather than the judge. Notes that "too often judicial nominees get rubber-stamped by the legislative bodies" and deserve better performance reviews. He expresses concerns about a couple incidences in which Judge O'Lear's decisions, which he found surprising, were reversed.
2:34:05: Clerk calls Roll Call and opens voting.
2:37:13: Voting closed. Resolution passes 28 yea, 4 nay; 3 absent & not voting).
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