Reforming the Philadelphia Judiciary

Here's an encouraging story in yesterday's Inquirer:

Two state senators on Monday plan to introduce a measure that they and others hope will mark the beginning of the end of how Philadelphia judges now make it to the bench.
...
[State Sen. Vincent] Fumo and Sen. Anthony Williams (D., Phila.) announced at a news conference yesterday that they are pushing legislation to amend the state constitution by requiring the governor to appoint judges who are recommended by a judicial nominating commission.
Philadelphia judges now are elected, which results in more emphasis on fund-raising and political endorsements than on qualifications. For instance, candidates seeking the backing of the Democratic City Committee in the May primary had to pay the committee $35,000 apiece to cover, as candidates were told, expenses such as printing ballots.