Lawmakers gave second-round approval April 25 to a bill that would extend an increase in Nebraska judges\u2019 retirement contribution rates.<\/p>\n
LB306, introduced by Omaha Sen. Jeremy Nordquist, would remove the pending July 1, 2014, sunset date on a 1 percent employee contribution rate increase that was established in 2009.<\/p>\n
As amended on general file, the bill also incorporates provisions of LB229, which would remove a scheduled July 1, 2014 sunset date of an additional $1 fee on various court filings that was added in 2009.<\/p>\n
Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop offered an amendment, adopted 29-4, which would increase the salary of Nebraska Supreme Court judges by adding the provisions of LB232 to the bill.<\/p>\n
Lathrop said it was necessary to combine the two bills to protect the provisions of both measures from future court challenges. A past federal court ruling found that any retirement concessions from judges must be accompanied by compensation, he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere needs to be consideration in the form of additional compensation,\u201d Lathrop said, \u201cor the concession on the retirement side is unconstitutional.\u201d<\/p>\n
The current judges\u2019 salary is $145,614. Under the amendment, the salary would increase 5 percent annually over the next two fiscal years to $152,895 on July 1, 2013, and to $165,040 on July 1, 2014.<\/p>\n
Lathrop said judges join the bench at the height of their earning potential and make far less than they would have by remaining in the private sector.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe policy question is how do you properly compensate and encourage people to serve in that capacity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers supported the amendment. Lawmakers should put aside individual disappointments with the courts, he said, and provide adequate compensation to support the proper functioning of the judiciary.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can look beyond those battles to the integrity of a branch of government,\u201d Chambers said.<\/p>\n
Hoskins Sen. Dave Bloomfield offered an amendment that would have reduced the increase to 2.5 percent annually over the same time period. Under his amendment, judges\u2019 salaries would have increased to $149,255 on July 1, 2013, and to $152,986 on July 1, 2014.<\/p>\n
Bloomfield said the recession is not over in Nebraska and the state cannot afford a 10 percent increase in judges\u2019 salaries.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t have an axe to grind with the judges,\u201d he said. \u201cI want to save a little money for the taxpayers going forward.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chambers opposed the amendment, saying good government comes at a price.<\/p>\n
\u201cNebraska has to get out of the mindset of traveling cheap,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The amendment failed on a 16-28 vote and the bill advanced to final reading by voice vote.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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