The Ellis County Press: Supplemental income for appellate judges questioned

Supplemental income for appellate judges questioned
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Editor on 09/24/2009 11:52:00


MEGAN GRAY
The Ellis County Press
Ellis County - Last week commissioners approved a 3-1 vote to voluntarily send a
supplemental income to the Tenth Court of Appeals in Waco. Approved by the state
legislature, the court of appeals can only receive up to $7,500 supplemental
income a piece per year.
The Tenth court of appeals has three judges, Chief Justice Tom Gray, Justice
Felipe Reyna and Justice Rex Davis, serving 18 counties.
"Ellis County pondered about giving the extra income longer than most," said
Gray.
According to press releases from Diana Buckley, Ellis County Communications
Officers, June 2007 shows the first time a subsidy for the courts was approved
by the county.
"I make about $140,000 a year- a little less than I did in private practice,
while the other two justices get about $137,500 plus the additional supplement
of $7,500 each," said Gray. Commissioner Heath Sims, R-Waxahachie, opposed the
vote this year.
"I just feel that with the economy the way it is right now, we shouldn't be just
giving out an extra $1,600 when the county employees didn't even receive pay
raises," said Sims.
County Judge Carol Bush, feels that even though she "hears my [this reporter's]
empathy" for the county employees coming through, she feels strongly about the
contribution being sent over.
"It is important to clarify that this flat amount of $1624 is for the entire
budget year, and that it only represents an increase of $9 over last years
shared contribution,"said Bush.
"I think I can speak for all of the other members of the commissioners court in
saying that we value the contribution of the judges on the Tenth Court of
Appeals."
All counties split 1/18 of the final expenditure.