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Senators approve 1.5% judicial pay increase after floor debate on timing and budget tradeoffs
Summary
The Legislature adopted an amendment to raise judges' salaries 1.5% over the next two years (AM1157) and advanced LB513 after extended floor debate about affordability, equity, and recruitment.
Senators adopted AM1157 and advanced LB513, a bill to raise Nebraska judges' salaries, after hours of floor debate that focused on budget trade-offs, equity with other state pay, and the recruitment and retention of qualified jurists.
Senator Kathleen Boson, sponsor of the judiciary committee amendment, urged colleagues to back AM1157 and the underlying bill, saying the increase is part of ensuring "qualified judges who understand the importance of what they're doing" and warning that a lack of applicants had delayed judicial nominations in the past. Boson asked senators to "again ask for your green vote on AM11:57 and ultimately on LB513."
Opponents, including Senator John Kavanaugh and Senator Mikaela Kavanaugh, argued the timing was poor amid budget pressures from other program cuts and cash transfers. Senator John Kavanaugh said, "I'm not in favor of us making that choice to push this cost onto families going to the state park," and warned the increase would be paid for by drawing down fees and transfers from other programs. Senator Mikaela Kavanaugh opposed the bill on equity grounds, saying legislators should "be focusing on the needs of the people and the least of us" and cited unmet priorities such as Medicaid dental reimbursements.
Senator Don Clemens, who worked on the Appropriations Committee, supported the 1.5% increase and said he had built the $1,500,000 cost into the budget over the next two years; Senator Hallstrom likewise urged support, saying four-year averages for judge pay remain below inflation. Debate also touched on the relationship between pay and the willingness of judges to operate problem-solving courts.
The Legislature adopted AM11:57 on a 26-5 recorded vote and later advanced LB513 to E & R initial on a 29-6 recorded vote. Supporters said the modest increase helps recruitment and retention; opponents said the state is shifting costs by reallocating funds from other programs and fee-based funds.
