Group raps governor for judge delay

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A good government group is criticizing Rhode Island Gov. Don Carcieri for a delay in nominating a new chief justice to the state Supreme Court.

Under state law, the governor must fill judicial vacancies within 21 days of receiving a list of finalists from the Judicial Nominating Commission.

Carcieri’s nominee must be confirmed by the General Assembly.

That deadline expired earlier this week. Carcieri’s spokeswoman has said the governor doesn’t view the deadline as mandatory and wants to take his time in making a pick since judges have lifetime appointments.

But the group Common Cause said in a statement Wednesday that the governor is flouting the law, and that the judiciary needs to be fully staffed. The group says the law isn’t advisory.