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Florida Bar Calls For Diversity Improvement On Bench

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) – In an effort to increase diversity among judges, the Florida Bar Board of Governors has agreed on 10 recommendations for the state's Governor.

The first recommendation is for Governor Rick Scott to fill 78 vacancies on the Judicial Nominating Committee with "diverse appointments" and also asked Scott to stress to the JNC that diversity is a priority.

The board unanimously approved a report Friday from an 11-member task force.

The JNC constructs a list of possible judges for the governor.

The report included a survey of Bar members on the JNC and JNC applicants that found the majority of respondents believe partisan politics play a bigger role in selecting those who serve on the JNC than merit.

The task force also recommends a diversity officer to work with the JNC on its appointment processes.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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