Supreme Court brawl over pay freeze?
Give new Supreme Court Chief Justice Jim Hardesty credit. Besides being a top judge and good legal mind, he tried to do the right thing earlier this month when he called all of the supremes behind closed doors and suggested that they not take a pay increase in light of the severe budget crunch facing the state.
Hardesty said the vote had to be unanimous otherwise he would not proceed. Two justices voted against the voluntary pay freeze idea, which is fine. But what allegedly happened next is worrisome. According to my source, one of the justices became so enraged that he verbally assaulted (and darn near physically threatened) Hardesty for daring to tinker with his pay increase.
The outburst stunned all.
That's the story I'm hearing. I'm not going to say my source is dead-on impeccable on this, but I will say I believe my source to be reliable enough to pass the story along. If anyone has more on this, I'm listening because it sounds like one of our Supreme Court justices is one taco short of a combination plate and on the verge of an emotional breakdown. You can reach me (in confidence, if you need it) at sherm@lvrj.com.
Hardesty said the vote had to be unanimous otherwise he would not proceed. Two justices voted against the voluntary pay freeze idea, which is fine. But what allegedly happened next is worrisome. According to my source, one of the justices became so enraged that he verbally assaulted (and darn near physically threatened) Hardesty for daring to tinker with his pay increase.
The outburst stunned all.
That's the story I'm hearing. I'm not going to say my source is dead-on impeccable on this, but I will say I believe my source to be reliable enough to pass the story along. If anyone has more on this, I'm listening because it sounds like one of our Supreme Court justices is one taco short of a combination plate and on the verge of an emotional breakdown. You can reach me (in confidence, if you need it) at sherm@lvrj.com.
This entry was posted on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2009 at 10:16 AM
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I think it is a shame that our high court officials are not adequately compensated. Afterall, they are doing a very tough job and they could be making a lot more in the private sector. I think they deserve pay increases and we should all do our fair share to help out. If the legislature can increase the sales tax by a percent or two, it would probably take care of all of our budget problems. I know it;s not a popluar view, but we really do need a tax increase. It's fair and it ensures we all help out.
A tax increase is a very unpopular view, Helen, especially in light of all the stories about judges coasting through the year working part-time and drawing full-time pay. Not sure that work ethic applies to the supremes, but anytime a judge at any level takes advantage of taxpayers, it reflects on all judges at all levels.
What does "the hive" think?
What does "the hive" think?
But they want all lowly state workers to take a pay CUT!!!! Whats wrong with this picture?
I am still wondering what kind of a private sector Supreme Court Justice there actually is??
Thought we all had to 'tighten the belt' real good.
Guess some of us are more equal than others.
Guess some of us are more equal than others.
I know I seem to waffle on my opinion quite a bit...one minute I'm for taxes, the next I'm against them. However, the bottom line is that just proves how hard it is to solve the problem. I think we should raise taxes and lower them at the same time. The end result will be that the increased tax revenue will help the state meet it's budget, while the decrease in taxes will give people more money in their pockets so that they can spend more. It's really a great idea!
Helen, you are babbling like an ignoramus. The justices currently make $140,000 a year. You'd be hard pressed to find someone who says that is not adequate compensation.
We also don't need a tax increase, we need to cut spending and use the $770 million in the joint investment fund to pay our current bills.
The Nevada Supreme Court doesn't even deserve a pay raise anyway. All they do is make rulings against the Nevada Constitution.
I don't really need to touch the whole raise taxes while lowing them, do I?
We also don't need a tax increase, we need to cut spending and use the $770 million in the joint investment fund to pay our current bills.
The Nevada Supreme Court doesn't even deserve a pay raise anyway. All they do is make rulings against the Nevada Constitution.
I don't really need to touch the whole raise taxes while lowing them, do I?
I feel that the judges could work much harder and smarter for their pay. Their is far too much corruption in the lower level court system that is allowed and over-loooked by our supreme justices. Time to remove them all and put in justices that have integrity, character, and operate within the law, instead of always wanting to change it to remedy their views. They definitely do not deserve more pay.
While the identity of the allegedly-attacking justice is interesting, I think the more interesting question is who is leaking information from the Court to the RJ. Based upon previous matters, namely the Whitehead debacle, my money is on Justice Pickering.
Great report Sherm.
Hope you are able to report who the emotional greedy slim ball is. We all have our suspicions.
And thank you to your source. The public has a right to know the character of their elected officials.
We ask teachers to take a 6% pay reduction and this is what we get from those that make a good living.
These judges need to be included in all cuts effecting Nevada government employees.
Hope you are able to report who the emotional greedy slim ball is. We all have our suspicions.
And thank you to your source. The public has a right to know the character of their elected officials.
We ask teachers to take a 6% pay reduction and this is what we get from those that make a good living.
These judges need to be included in all cuts effecting Nevada government employees.
What Fay said.
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