Louisiana sheriffs who complete an executive management institute' and follow-up training would be eligible for a pay raise pending the governor's signature on Senate Bill 97, which was backed 91-1 in the House with no discussion on the measure. A measure that gives Louisiana sheriffs - and effectively district judges - a chance for another pay raise passed almost unanimously in the state House Wednesday with no discussion.
According to an AP report published on KATC's website, Senate Bill 97 by state Sen. J.P. Morrell of New Orleans would establish an executive management institute for sheriffs in Louisiana. Upon completion of the management school and required follow-up training, sheriffs would be eligible for a pay raise - with one twisted caveat: The pay raise for sheriffs can only come if state lawmakers also approve a pay raise for district judges. Say what? Salaries for Louisiana sheriffs, according to a quick review of four sheriffs' financial disclosure reports, range from $130,000 to more than $145,000 a year.
The bill is now headed to Gov. Bobby Jindal's desk for final passage.
The 91-1 vote to give pay raises to both sheriffs and district judges across the state comes less than a week after the House was stalled for an entire day at the hands of 51 so-called "money hawks" who battled the state's spending plan for next year. Louisiana is currently short $220 million of the funds it needs to get through the fiscal year that ends June 30, with next year's budget expected to have a near $1 billion deficit.