New York state has taken an important first step on money in judicial elections. A new rule will bar elected judges from hearing cases involving lawyers and others who make significant contributions to their campaigns.The New York Times reported this is "a move that will change the political culture of courts and transform judicial elections by removing an important incentive lawyers have for contributing.""Judge Lippman, who promoted the adoption of the measure by a statewide judicial board, said in an interview that the rule was critical to preserve the integrity of the state’s courts. 'Nothing could be more important for the judiciary than to have the public see that we’re neutral arbiters of disputes,' he said. 'If we don’t have that, we don’t have anything.'"To read the full article, click here.