Funding the Courts

An Oregonian Editorial today calls attention to Oregon’s low pay for judges in our state courts.

“The judiciary needs attention for one simple reason. When Oregon citizens go to court, they encounter crowded dockets, inadequate legal resources, ancient computers and unsung judges whose pay ranks 50th in the nation.”

That says it all, in just two sentences.

I’ll write more on this issue soon. The League of Women Voters of Oregon is nearing completion of a statewide study of the Judiciary system. I’ve received the report and heard a briefing on it, but I haven’t read all the background materials nor yet participated in the League’s Unit Meetings on the subject. Those small group gatherings are where participants add their experience, expertise, and opinions to enrich discussion, and we vote to reach a new offical position on the matter. I’ll have more information to share after that process is completed.

Judges, nurses, teachers…. we work because we love our jobs and care for the people we help. But we have mortgages, childcare expenses, college tuition bills, too. Society should want to attract the most capable professionals to those jobs, and must recognize that some are motivated (or discouraged) by the pay scale. Fair compensation is owed people who do valuable work, and do it well – especially people who choose to devote their skills in public service positions. Satisfaction in the vocation should be only part of the reward.

The other part I especially appreciate about the O‘s Editorial is the conclusion:

“There’s no question that lawmakers are pulled in many directions. They’ve set aside money for a rainy day fund and shown support for K-12 education, two wise choices that constrain their options today.

Still, Oregon’s judicial branch isn’t just another lobbyist in the queue. It’s the third branch of government, and it has spent far too long out in the rain.”

This relates the highlighted need for fair judicial pay to the overall State Budget, and recognizes the fact that the Editorial Board has already called for other spending priorities. Even with an improving economy, State funds aren’t a bottomless bucket. I agree with their summary.