Texas Lawmakers Pass First Raise for State Judges in Over 10 Years
Texas lawmakers have passed a significant bill that raises the base pay for state judges from $140,000 to $175,000, a 25% increase. This move comes after a decade of no changes to judicial pay, with the last increase approved in 2013.
Background and Advocacy
Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock had been advocating for a judicial pay raise throughout the legislative session. He emphasized the need for a salary adjustment to attract and retain qualified candidates and members of the bench. In his first State of the Judiciary address, Blacklock called for an increase in the state’s base pay for judges, echoing the sentiments of his predecessors.
Dispute Over Pension Language
The bill’s passage was almost derailed due to a dispute between the House and Senate over language related to lawmakers’ pensions. Currently, pensions for eligible state lawmakers are based on judges’ six-figure salaries, rather than their $7,200 per year part-time compensation. The House added language to the bill that would maintain this arrangement, while the Senate disagreed, leading to a stalemate.
Compromise and Resolution
After a conference committee involving chairs Joan Huffman and Jeff Leach, a compromise was reached. Under the new agreement, lawmaker pensions will increase with judicial pay but will be unlinked from judge salaries as of September. The Texas Ethics Commission will have the authority to make changes starting in 2030. Leach praised the outcome, stating that the package delivers "long overdue, well-deserved pay raises for Texas judges" and is an "essential step to maintaining a strong and qualified judiciary."
Key Provisions and Implications
The bill, Senate Bill 293, includes a 25% increase in base pay for judges, although the Texas Judicial Compensation Commission had recommended a 30% increase. Texas previously ranked second-to-last in the country for judicial pay, a fact that Blacklock called an "embarrassment." The bill also includes judicial accountability measures, such as classifying violations of state bail-setting rules and missing case clearance rate requirements as misconduct under the state Constitution.
Conclusion
The passage of Senate Bill 293 marks a significant development in the effort to improve judicial pay in Texas. With the state’s previous ranking as second-to-last in the country, this increase is a crucial step towards attracting and retaining qualified judges. While the compromise on pension language may have been a point of contention, the ultimate outcome is a positive step forward for the state’s judiciary. As the bill awaits Governor Greg Abbott’s signature, Texans can expect a stronger, more qualified judiciary in the years to come.
