2nd judge challenges repeal of Pa. pay raises

HARRISBURG (AP) -- A second judge challenged the Legislature's repeal of a controversial pay-raise law as unconstitutional Tuesday, asking Pennsylvania appeals courts to reinstate raises for the more than 1,000 state judges.
The law, passed in the dead of night July 7 without debate or public hearings, boosted the salaries of more than 1,300 judges, lawmakers and senior executive branch officials. Judges saw their pay increase by 11 percent to 15 percent, while lawmakers received pay raises of 16 percent to 54 percent.
But public outcry and widespread concern that the issue might cost many incumbent legislators their seats in next year's elections prompted a repeal of the pay raises.
The judges' challenges revolve around a passage in the Pennsylvania Constitution designed to prevent lawmakers from docking the pay of judges as punishment for unfavorable rulings. John W. Herron, 61, and Albert W. Sheppard, 68, are both county judges in Philadelphia.
Sheppard filed the first challenge to the 3-week-old repeal in the Supreme Court on Monday, asking to reinstate the pay raises for all three branches of government.
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