Judicial pay increase advances

Judges within the state court system would see a 2 percent salary increase under a bill advanced from general file Feb. 14.

LB862, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Colby Coash, would provide for an increase in salary commensurate with the increase proposed for state employees in fiscal year 2012-13. Coash said maintaining a competitive pay schedule is important for keeping quality judges.

“We have a very strong branch of government in our judiciary,” Coash said. “There is a correlation between the quality of our courts and the quality of people who preside over them.”

The pay increase applies to state Supreme Court judges. All other state judges’ salaries are based on Supreme Court salaries.

Senators voted to advance the bill to select file on a 36-0 vote.