Posted on 01/01/2009 4:41:28 PM PST by Libloather
Federal judges lose bid for pay raises
A quirk in federal law prevents them from getting automatic cost-of-living increases. A bill before Congress to boost their salaries showed promise -- but that was before the Wall Street meltdown.
By David G. Savage
January 1, 2009
Reporting from Washington -- Joining the many who felt shortchanged by 2008 are the nation's federal judges.
They were the only federal employees who did not receive a cost-of-living pay increase.
**SNIP**
In his fourth year-end report on the federal judiciary, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said he has been repeating himself.
"I suspect many are tired of hearing it, and I know I am tired of saying it, but I must make this plea again: Congress must provide judicial compensation that keeps pace with inflation," he wrote.
**SNIP**
As the chief justice of the United States, Roberts is the leader of the federal judiciary as well as the Supreme Court. Midway through 2008, he was optimistic that Congress would restore the lost cost-of-living increases for judges; both the House and Senate had approved bills that would have increased judicial salaries by about 28%.
**SNIP**
In 2008, U.S. district judges earned $169,300, and U.S. appeals court judges earned $179,500. At the Supreme Court, the eight associate justices were paid $208,100, and the chief justice was paid $217,400.
Roberts said the federal judiciary -- the third branch of the U.S. government -- is a relative bargain. The total appropriation for the federal courts system was $6.2 billion in 2008, he said.
"That represents a mere two-tenths of 1% of the United States' total $3-trillion budget. Two-tenths of 1%," Roberts wrote.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Go for a whole one percent. I would...
He does have a point there, remember you get what you pay for.
If the judges don’t like their jobs they can seek alternate employment.
Last July we had a knock-down drag out fight over the Louisiana Legislature trying to triple its pay. It was pitiful to hear all the crying and bitching and poor-mouthing from the leges.
Finally, we beat Bobby Jindal over the head enough to make him veto the thing.
Not one single legislator has quit since, despite their claims of poverty and how it “cost” them to serve.
Awwwwwwwwww, he’s breaking my heart! They have a lifetime-guaranteed job! I’ll take lower-pay for a guaranteed job anyday!
I guess that’s why so many “your honors” die with their black dresses on. You couldn’t set the pay high enough to get the best lawyers to take a judgeship for the money, and probably you wouldn’t want to. On the other hand, I think a retired judge could move to red America and live comfortably on the retirement. Of course if they want to go live where the beautiful people are, the income might be inadequate. Pity. They need to retire among the people they have been abusing and not the ones they have been favoring.
I guess that’s why so many “your honors” die with their black dresses on. You couldn’t set the pay high enough to get the best lawyers to take a judgeship for the money, and probably you wouldn’t want to. On the other hand, I think a retired judge could move to red America and live comfortably on the retirement. Of course if they want to go live where the beautiful people are, the income might be inadequate. Pity. They need to retire among the people they have been abusing and not the ones they have been favoring.
I would hope that they don’t.
At least in the case of the 9, they keep 100% of their salary, 100% of their staff, and we get to buy them equivilent offices. So every time one retires, our cost goes up about 300%.
Everyone is sufferring EXCEPT Congress.
My heart freaking bleeds
This is no surprise and the market melt down has little to do with it.
Let me negotiate settlement: you guys on SCOTUS give us a full hearing on BHO eligibilty and all us Freepers will kick in for your lousy raise—but just for one year.
Perhaps the federal judiciary should reconsider its policy of infringing on the powers of the other branches of the federal government in light of the fact that it is dependent upon them for pay increases.
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