11-13-13 chief justice amendment

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The chief justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court would no longer automatically be the justice with the most seniority under a measure passed by the state Senate.  The proposed constitutional amendment approved on an 18-15 vote Tuesday would instead require that the chief justice be selected by a majority of the seven justices serving on the court every two years.  All Democrats voted against it with all Republicans in support.  Democratic opponents say the measure was targeted at removing current Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson, a liberal who has led the court for the past 17 years. Republican backers say it makes more sense to have court members select their leader.  The amendment must pass the Legislature twice and be approved in a statewide vote before it takes effect.