What are some recommended mechanisms for promoting stronger, healthier interbranch relations?
The October 1989 national conference, “Legislative-Judicial Relations: Seeking a New Partnership,” produced a set of recommended mechanisms: • Increase the scope and use of formal communication mechanisms, such as judicial testimony before legislative committees, to maximize the judiciary’s effectiveness in bringing branch issues and concerns to the legislature. • Expand the legislative role in long-range planning for court system improvement. • Develop and refine orientation programs for legislators on court roles, responsibilities, and operations and for judicial officials on those of the state legislature. • Examine ways to enhance the involvement of state court administrative staff in tracking bills and providing information to the legislature on the potential effects of proposed legislation on the courts. • Explore ways to increase participation and representation of legislators and judges on branch task forces and commissions organized to deal with issues relevant to both branche
