Panel urges lawmakers to give justices raises

LANSING (AP) - A panel is recommending that lawmakers give 3 percent raises to Michigan Supreme Court justices in 2017 and 2018.

The State Officers Compensation Commission issued the recommendation Wednesday. It also approved a motion expressing support for Senate-passed legislation to no longer link lower court judges' pay to justices' salaries.

The commission isn't recommending pay hikes for the governor, legislators, attorney general and secretary of state.

Supreme Court justices make $164,610 and haven't gotten a raise in nearly 15 years.

Chief Justice Robert Young said Tuesday the panel's recommendation would be "symbolic" because it's too "toxic" for lawmakers to authorize higher pay.

Young says it's more realistic to push legislation automatically tying future pay hikes for judges - except Supreme Court justices - to cost-of-living increases given to executive branch employees.

Published: Fri, May 15, 2015