What Texas Lawmakers May Sacrifice to Get Judges a Pay Raise

AUSTIN -- Texas lawmakers agree that state district judges need a pay raise, and in the past, that has always meant a bump in legislators' pensions.But a Collin County lawmaker has found a way to raise judges' pay without benefiting legislators.Under a bill by Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, pay increases for judges and prosecutors would be tied to length of service. Still, the $140,000 base pay of district judges -- to which legislators’ pensions are tied -- would remain unchanged, Leach said Monday.“In my bill at least, legislators will not be getting a pension increase -- nor should we,” he said.  Continue reading...