Service as a Judge is a public service. Most people do not know that Judges make about 1/4th of what they made in the private sector. The legislature probably does not care if a vacancy goes unfilled; at least, until they or one of their friends has a personal experience with the judiciary. Sadly, given the low pay of Judges, the abuse Judge Hilder unfairly received at the legislature, and the better opportunities in the private sector, I fear that even less qualified, less gifted, and less working hard Judges will apply for future positions. It may be that Utah will turn into a mediocre judicial system simply because the job is underpaid, thankless, fraught with political posturing by hillbilly legislators, and now, not even properly funded. That sounds great until you or your family need the Court's assistance, and then you will care that the Courts are too busy, the Judges are not the best and brightest, and you wonder why you did not get justice. Look no further than your own voting for hillbilly legislators who know nothing about the law, and yet claim to be experts on everything.

Stop all the early retirement benefits and 100% vested perks for life, after being apponted for 20 years public service-leave it to a lawyer to negotiate their own self interests to the expense of the public that they serve.