Democrats in the House of Delegates stuck together and passed a bill Wednesday that would increase pay for magistrates and their staffs in 23 of the state’s smaller counties.
The bill, approved on a 53-45 vote, followed more than 90 minutes of what was sometimes emotional debate.
Magistrates in the smaller counties are paid near $52,000 a year. Those in the 32 larger counties make more than $57,000 annually. There’s also a difference in pay for magistrate clerks and staff in the smaller counties.
Supporters say the bill isn’t about caseload but about fairness.
“It’s fundamentally unfair to simply pick out some rural counties and rural folks and say ‘you’re worth less than the folks over here in the city,’” Del. Tim Manchin, D-Marion, said.
The money, more than $720,000, would come from the state Supreme Court’s budget. The court says it has enough money in its current budget to pay for the raises for about three years. State lawmakers would have to allocate more after that.
Del. Patrick Lane, R-Kanawha, argued the magistrates have already had three pay raises in the last 10 years. He said the timing for this proposal is wrong considering there are thousands of West Virginians out of work.
“The first thing we’re going to vote on this year,” Lane screamed. “The first thing? What’s wrong with us Mr. Speaker? How callous can we be?”
The Democratic majority, which lost significant numbers in the last election, still had enough power in the House to push through a controversial bill. The vote followed party lines with the exception of Republican Delegate Bob Ashley of Roane County who voted for the pay raise.
The bill now heads to the state Senate where it got hung up last year in the Senate Finance Committee. An identical pay raise bill in the Senate does have Sen. President Jeff Kessler as one of its sponsors.
26
Comments
Walt
If you check the roll call vote, I do believe that a couple Dems voted against it and a couple of Repubs voted for it.
February 20, 2013 at 3:09 pm | Report comment
Walt
Plus, the final vote was 53 for to 45 against.
February 20, 2013 at 3:10 pm | Report comment
State Employee.
The rich get's richer and the poor stays poor. What's wrong with our House of Delegates in Charleston?
February 20, 2013 at 3:18 pm | Report comment
C.Hoffman
Whores. Plain and simple. It's not about caseload it's about fairness. Fairness for who? Certainly not the taxpayer. I suppose those who voted in favor expect to be before the Magistrates in the future so they want to ensure favorable treatment now. We have to rid ourselves of these crooks. The corruption against and disregard for the taxpaying citizens is breathtaking. I don't hold much hope in the Senate. We'll see if Tomblin holds the line on his pledge.
February 20, 2013 at 3:32 pm | Report comment
Jim
I'm not sure, but think that our magistrates knew what the job paid before filing to be elected. As far as staff, if the job doesn't pay enough I would suggest a different job.....just sayin'......
February 20, 2013 at 3:44 pm | Report comment
Smokey
A very good reason to vote them all out next election instead of just talking about it.
February 20, 2013 at 4:29 pm | Report comment
JBWV
So this is the first vote? There aren't any other pressing issues in our State?
Really????????
February 20, 2013 at 4:36 pm | Report comment
Army Vet
Are you thinking this is the ONLY vote they will make? What difference does that make?
Really??????????
February 20, 2013 at 4:59 pm | Report comment
Army Vet
It amazes me that Delegates being paid $25,000 for 2 months of work can say $57,000 for an ENTIRE YEAR of work is too much for rural West Virginians.
Magistrates are on call 24 hours a day, in some counties, 6 months a year. They are dealing with the drug issues first hand every day and they don't even make $60,000 a year? Sad, very sad.
February 20, 2013 at 4:57 pm | Report comment
Charleston, WV
Does this really suprise anyone?
February 20, 2013 at 5:19 pm | Report comment
WVIRGINIAN FOR LIFE
This is absolute bullcrap! I'm not sure how to address my frustration with these butt heads. How do I get a list of the roll call vote. This is the last straw.
February 20, 2013 at 5:50 pm | Report comment
WVIRGINIAN FOR LIFE
Well Governor, we will see where the rubber meets the road. Talk is cheap. Your reputation is on the line now. We expect a veto.
February 20, 2013 at 5:52 pm | Report comment
John
All the issues this state has, the first vote on the block is pay raisers for certain officials....yep, keep voting them in people, keep voting them in.
February 20, 2013 at 7:40 pm | Report comment
CaptainQ
AND some of you wonder why I'm always harping on the Democratic Party "junta" that has ruled WV since the days of Fred Flintstone?
THIS is yet ANOTHER example why!
What's next, yet ANOTHER pay raise for themselves? Magistrates need a pay raise like Jimmy Carter needs cavities! Oh well, there's goes my high hopes for this year's Legislative Session down the drain.... again....
February 20, 2013 at 8:41 pm | Report comment
Green Lot
Tim Manchin, and the delegates voting for this bill are detached from reality. If you follow their logic, every County Superintendent of School should be paid the same salary, irrespective of student population. People in the real world get paid relative compensation because of their workload. The "fairness" argument is a worn out union position that continues to stick with West Virginia Democrats.
February 20, 2013 at 8:54 pm | Report comment
J!
What about a pay raise for the social workers who make little to nothing? Ignorance is bliss in our socialist union formally known as America.
February 20, 2013 at 11:36 pm | Report comment