Judges in New Mexico get a pay raise … from other judges

It was a complicated case but, in the end, a specially selected panel of the New Mexico Supreme Court gave judges a 5 percent pay raise.

Included in that group getting the pay hike? The justices of the Supreme Court.

“I want to acknowledge the somewhat extraordinary circumstances” surrounding the case, Justice Richard Bosson said upon announcing a unanimous decision Wednesday morning over a dispute about a line-item veto issued by Gov. Susana Martinez earlier this year.

It was an unusual case, that’s for sure.

In one corner was Albuquerque attorney Ray Vargas, representing a group that included state court judges who wanted an 8 percent pay raise — a 5 percent bump for judges that was part of the state budget passed earlier this year, plus a 3 percent increase for all state employees.

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