Conn. chief justice proposes $45,000 raises

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut Chief Justice Chase T. Rogers is recommending that most state judges get $45,000 in pay raises over the next four years to make up for five years of no increases and bring salaries in line with those of judges in other states.

Some state lawmakers say the state can't afford the raises.

Rogers proposed the increases earlier this month in a report to the state Commission on Judicial Compensation, which will make recommendations to the legislature and governor in January.

Rogers is recommending an 11 percent raise next July and 5.5 percent annual raises the following three years. A Superior Court judge's salary would increase from about $147,000 to about $192,000.

A national court organization says Connecticut ranks 45th in the country for judges' pay.