Court Opinion

ID: 9721163
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 08:49:59.672655+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:24:23.749378
License: Public Domain

Tom Glaze, Justice, concurring. I join in the per curiam appointing two masters, but, based on past and present events, I am left with some concern that the hearings required of the masters could be extended needlessly, if the parties and their counsel proffer unnecessary evidence. The parties and their attorneys have already conceded that full compliance with this court’s November 21, 2002, decision and its constitutional mandate was not achieved on or before January 1, 2004. I believe the masters should place their emphasis on what the general assembly has done since January 1, 2004. While I agree the acts or inactions by the General Assembly prior to January 1, 2004, have value and require study or review, I am concerned that this court’s compliance review will bog down in a mass of needless information. In this same vein, I would request that the masters utilize their best efforts to expedite this court’s review. As much as possible, they should use their discretion in determining what testimony or other evidence is actually relevant to the issues set out in the court’s per curiam. The masters have the authority to conduct a pretrial hearing to (1) establish the procedures to follow, (2) set a proposed time schedule, and (3) identify and limit the persons and evidence needed to decide the factual issues bearing on the General Assembly’s compliance or noncompliance with this court’s constitutional mandate.