Maryland judges want a raise
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February 16, 2012
Maryland: Maryland's judges don't get paid enough according to a proposal from the Judicial Compensation Commission that seeks to increase pay for all of the state's 284 judges by $29,000.[1] Testifying in front of the House Appropriations Committee in support of the proposal last Tuesday, Maryland Court of Appeals Judge Clayton Greene argued "If you adjust for judge's salaries by the cost of living index, Maryland ranks 43rd in the nation."[1] Supporters of the resolution claim that the state experiences difficulty attracting and retaining talented judges because of its low pay, to the detriment of Maryland's judicial system. Judge Greene warned the committee "More and more judges will leave the bench unless they are assured their pay will not be stagnant if the stay on."[1]
The judges' claims fell largely on def ears during the House Appropriations Committee hearing. With Maryland already facing a $1 billion budget shortfall, legislators were resistant to the proposal which would cost $14 million according to a fiscal note.[1] Delegate Gail Bates remarked “The requests are grossly out of line with our fiscal situation and out of line with what state employees are able to get."[2]
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