State judiciary branch salaries don't measure up to their counterparts in the executive and legislative branches, and Senate File 40 would close the gap.
Raises for Circuit Court, District Court and State Supreme Court Judges would make up $3.6 million of the two-year budget in the works in Cheyenne. Representative
Rosie Berger.
According to a memo from State Supreme Court Justice Marilyn Kite to the House Appropriations Committee, salaries in the judicial branch still wouldn't be equal to executive salaries in Wyoming. Low Executive position salary is the Department of Corrections head at $135,319. Positions in the Department of Health range from $139,400 to $206,798. Highest paid LSO employees are $5,000 to $25,000 above State Supreme Court justices, according to the memo. It states that the cost-of-living increases haven't happened since 2009 for the branch and are needed in order to recruit and retain the best candidates.
Wednesday, the House actually increased the proposal for Circuit Court judge raises from $110,000 to $128,799. Circuit Court judges make $102,800 currently. District Judges would get a $25,000 raise to $150,000. Justice salaries would spike from $131,500 to $165,000.
