RECESSION SPECIAL: Pay Raise For Judges Tucked Into Auto Bailout

Pay Raise For Judges Tucked Into Auto Bailout Plan
ANDREW TAYLOR | December 10, 2008 05:13 PM EST | AP


WASHINGTON — If the $14 billion bailout plan for U.S. automakers passes, it will help more than just Ford, Chrysler and General Motors. Federal judges would get a pay raise, as well.

The raise _ an annual cost of living adjustment, or COLA _ would bring U.S. District court judges up to par with members of Congress, who will receive an almost $5,000 boost on Jan. 1. District judges and lawmakers now earn $169,300 a year but are expected to be awarded a 2.8 percent raise next year, said Dick Carelli, a spokesman for the Administrative Office of the United States Courts.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., insisted that the judicial pay raise go into the automaker loan measure, which is the only item of business on Congress' lame-duck agenda.

Under ethics legislation enacted almost two decades ago, members of Congress get a cost of living raise automatically, but they have to vote to give judges an identical raise. Because the spending bill covering U.S. courts has not passed, the step is necessary if judges are going to get their COLA.

more...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/11/pay-raise-for-judges-tuck_n_150158.html

We will have new health insurance coverage which includes higher co-pays and deductibles. But I'm getting the same salary.

The longer I work the poorer I get! :(

...we have a high-deductible plan, but are 'allowed' to put the 5,000 smackers of the deductible into a tax-free HSA. Comes out to a $4100.00 pay cut.

I guess at some point we'll have to forgo the health ins.

DECLINING for many Americans, I find it inappropriate that Congress or Judges get raises. Congress has done a lousy job, and has received a "NEEDS IMPROVEMENT" job rating from the American people. Why do they think they deserve a cost of living raise? Their consitituents certainly aren't getting one.

This is another example of the abuse our elected officials force on us. We need CHANGE, and this is one of the areas that needs to change. :(