Update: Judge Agrees with Judge that Judges Need More Money

Two weeks ago, we reported that New York State’s Appellate Division had ruled, giving lawmakers 90 days to adjust judicial compensation to reflect a 30% increase in the cost of living since 1998.

This week, New York Supreme Court Justice Edward H. Lehner ruled in agreement with his colleague, and ordered New York’s governor and lawmakers to raise the pay of the state’s 1,300 judges.

Lehner ruled that the state executive and legislature violated the separation of powers doctrine by linking a judicial pay raise to other issues. Now the issue goes to the Court of Appeals, at the same time as two related cases decided by the Appellate Division.