Chamber study says Florida trial judges underpaid

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A research group affiliated with the Florida Chamber of Commerce says the state’s trial judges are underpaid compared to other states.

The Florida Chamber Foundation study released Monday was done for the Florida Bar.

Florida judges were paid $142,178 in 2009, putting them below such states as California, Illinois, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

The report recommends a raise to reduce that gap. It includes a survey showing the main factor deterring experienced lawyers from becoming judges is the higher pay they can get in private practice.

The study says investing in the judicial system would improve the state’s economic development by making sure commercial disputes are resolved promptly and efficiently.

Peter Schorsch is the President of Extensive Enterprises and is the publisher of some of Florida’s most influential new media websites, including SaintPetersBlog.com, FloridaPolitics.com, ContextFlorida.com, and Sunburn, the morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. SaintPetersBlog has for three years running been ranked by the Washington Post as the best state-based blog in Florida. In addition to his publishing efforts, Peter is a political consultant to several of the state’s largest governmental affairs and public relations firms. Peter lives in St. Petersburg with his wife, Michelle, and their daughter, Ella.