Judges, sheriffs in Louisiana to get pay raises after governor signs bill
Louisiana judges will receive a pay raise this year – and potentially a 12.5% salary hike over the next several years – under a new measure signed into law by the governor that is also expected to boost pay for sheriffs and other local officials.
The measure, which was overwhelmingly backed in both chambers, was sponsored by state Sen. Danny Martiny, a term-limited Metairie Republican, gives judges a 2.5% pay raise July 1. The judiciary will pay the $1.8 million cost out of its existing surplus of roughly $50 million.
Beyond this year, judges are set for additional 2.5% pay raises annually through 2023, as long as the judiciary has the money to pay for them. Those could stack up to a cumulative 12.5% pay raise, costing a total of nearly $28 million.
Martiny, who says he is not seeking another elected office, pointed to a provision in the law that only allows the raises if the state Supreme Court and Judicial Budgetary Control Board determine there is enough money to pay them. He also said the Legislature will still have control over the judiciary’s budget.
Read more: https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/legislature/article_feef3dbe-8e23-11e9-b562-dfa34562a8aa.html