Judges seek justice -- and a pay raise

NEW YORK, April 11 (UPI) -- New York's judges are suing the state's legislative and executive branches, claiming decade-long foot-dragging in giving them a raise.

The lawsuit, filed in New York by Judith Kaye, state appellate court chief justice, follows years of governors nixing legislative raises for lawmakers, which are tied to judges' pay raises, Newsday reported Friday. The last time either group saw a salary bump was in 1999.

"They have undermined a pillar of our form of government," the suit alleged. "Their constitutional duty is to provide the judiciary with adequate compensation."

Pay for New York's 1,250 state-level jurists ranges from $108,800 for city court judges to Kaye's salary of $156,000, said Kaye's attorney, Bernie Nusbaum.

"I don't blame them" for suing, Gov. David A. Paterson said. "I don't think they'll win, but I wish them well."

The Republican-led Senate twice passed legislation granting the raises, only to see the bill stall in the Democratic-led Assembly.

"Judges don't need to sue to get a raise; they need to step up pressure on the state Assembly to act," Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno said.