We would like to think that our local daily and its reporters strive to be accurate and correct in the reporting of their stories on local government.
But we must admit that we were slightly perplexed when we read in Friday's Brownsville Holler that the county commissioners voted to "raise district court salaries."
In that story, it seems like the commissioners gave the judges – who earn $140,000 and a $15,000 county supplement already – a 10 percent raise.
That, of course, is not what happened.
The judges were there to ask for a 10 percent raise for their staff.
"Thursday's increase calls for increases for judges and their staffs," the story reads.
Well, not quite.
On August, 2013, the district judges (and county-courts-at-law judges by edict) got their legislatively mandated raises by a 3-0-1 vote of the Cameron County Commissioner's court.
Commissioners Sofia Benavides (Pct. 1), Ernie Hernandez (Pct. 2) and David Garza (Pct. 3) voted to approve the raises that will see the judge's salary increase to $140,000 with the county supplement rising and additional $3,000 to $15,000.
By state law, the three county-courts-at-law judges also saw their salaries increase to within $1,000 of the district judges' salary of $140,000, or $139,000.
It was the first time since 2005 that the district and county-court-at-law judges have received a raise.
It was just yesterday that we ran into a county mid-level employee who was angry that the judges had gotten such a hefty raise.
"How about the little guys?," he asked. "All we got last time was a $1,000 one-time stipend that amounts to about $20 a week, less after taxes. The commissioners better be looking for ways to get us at least a 5 percent raise. They gave us $1,000 and the appraisals on our houses went through the roof and ate that up. "
At least two commissioners – Pct. 2 Alex Dominguez and Pct. 3 David Garza – voted against the measure saying that the requests should have come in during the budget process.
9 comments:
That's the way it works. They "give" us a piss ass raise; then the ass holes raise our property taxes via the Appraisal District. That's how the County Tax Assesors keep their asses clean as a whistle.
Juan, I agree with Commish Alex Doimnguez, these matters fall during the budgetary process. During the month of May directors begin to put an annual budget together for the fiscal year. And employees increases are set by commissioners, the budget should not be directed by District Judges.
Corruption is in the blood and souls of the stinking valley Mexicans(same as Mexican Americans...no difference). Keep fucking around putos and you will be rooming with Villalobos. I hear he has stocked up on Ramen noodles of all flavors.
Compañerismo And tranza thats all it is...@my deparment they rehire thiefs who come & go like ifcthey own the county..And nobody says anything..but is not what you Know, its who you know..there is no $$ for the staff, but administración dept, or other dept.And to rehire their compadres
Let me guess....Ty Johnson.
Dominguez is looking better and better. He actually listens to his constituents.
Comm. Dominguez will prefer to give his friend Abel Gomez a raise. He is not getting re-elected.
Now what's next ? Every dept. will be asking for a raise and totally ignoring the budget process.They better not give Cris Valadez a raise! THAT would be a travesty . ....hijo de su chingada madre doesn't do anything but gossip and try to fuck people over.....ugh !
I think they should make sure the employees are qualified/and or experienced to work in the position before giving them raises!!!
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