Arkansas judicial salaries

Increasing funding for public employees deserving of a raise in salary is a perpetual topic in the legislature, which wants to attract top quality talent while keeping an eye on spending. The judiciary last received a pay raise in 1983. A point was made in a committee formed to study judicial pay yesterday that judges have to lobby for pay raises hat in hand before the Legislature, which makes them feel very uncomfortable. Likewise for me, since I make my living trying cases in front of judges. There's an inherent conflict there, and it's not just between lawyer-legislators and judges -- same thing goes for teacher-legislators considering a pay raise for teachers, and on down the line.

That's why there should be some sort of automatic bump for all public employees tied to a regional average and net available revenue to ensure that their pay is commensurate and competitive. That way, there won't be discussions as to whether there's a lingering grudge from the Lake View ruling (there isn't), and we'll be able to attract quality talent in all public positions.