Legislative should examine judicial pay

Jan. 12—If you just look at dollars, the salaries Oregon pays judges seem fine. Judges receive many benefits. The position comes with a great deal of responsibility and honor.

However, you should look at the cost of living. Oregon might be at the bottom of all 50 states in terms of judicial salaries. Oregonians may soon have to pay a fee to go to court.

The National Center for State Courts monitors judicial salaries. The 2022 salary analysis shows Oregon as a very high performer. Oregon was 35th in the list for circuit court judge salaries. This data was combined with cost of living data and Oregon was last in circuit court judge pay at 50th.

There are many caveats. This calculation does not include the benefits. It is much more difficult to compare. Here are some details: tinyurl.com/Retirejudge.

After the report was published, Oregon judges received a cost of living increase. The Oregon Judicial Department states that even with the increase, the adjusted income of a judge on a circuit court in Oregon would remain at the bottom. Oregon judges do not receive merit increases.

Even worse, Oregon has a huge disparity between the salaries of circuit court judges and senior state attorneys. This is by many thousands of dollars. This means that Oregon’s public-sector lawyers who have similar experience earn vastly different amounts.

Judges are paid more than Oregonians. The current average income of a judge in a circuit court is $163,476. The chief justice of Oregon’s Supreme Court is the highest-ranking judge. He earns $180,084.

The cost of increasing these salaries is significant. The Oregon Judicial Department requested two 10% increases in the salaries of judges during the 2022 session. The state would have to pay an additional $7 million in 2021-2023 budget periods and $19 million 2023-2025.

But ask yourself: Who are you going to want at the bench making decisions on people’s liberty, and punishment? Do you want the best state lawyers?

Private practice lawyers can make more. That is what we would expect. Money should not be the driving force behind a decision to become a judge. Lawyers shouldn’t be turned away by money. It is possible that lawyers will not be interested in this crucial role in our judicial systems because of the pay.

Also, the Legislature should consider giving judges a raise in this session. Senate Bill 233, a bill, is available for this session.

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