House approves raises for Ga. judges, district attorneys, public defenders

ATLANTA (AP) -- Supreme and Appeals Court judges would receive a $12,000 raise under a bill headed to the Georgia state Senate.

The House of Representatives approved the bill Wednesday by a vote of 142 to 21.

The bill also gives salary increases to circuit court judges, district attorneys and public defenders. The amount varies based on salary supplements set by counties or local agencies.

The state would add up to $30,000 annually for those officials.

Sponsoring Rep. Jay Powell, a Camilla Republican, says the increase is meant to bring salaries in line regardless of local supplements. He says the last raise for Supreme and Appeals Court judges was in 1999.

Rep. E. Culver "Rusty" Kidd, a Milledgeville Independent, questioned why other state employees are not receiving a similar salary increase by percent.