House bill ups pay for Minn. judges

The Minnesota House has passed a court funding bill that includes salary increases for the state's judges and travel and lodging reimbursements for state Court of Appeals judges who live in greater Minnesota.

The House passed the Democratic-sponsored judiciary finance bill Friday on a largely party-line vote. Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and district court judges would see a 3 percent raise in each of the next two years. A court system funding bill in the Senate proposes 4 percent raises in each of the next two years.

The two bills will be reconciled in conference committee.

Under the House bill, the state would start covering mileage and lodging costs for Court of Appeals judges who must travel to St. Paul when court is in session. That 19-member court must have at least one member from the state's eight congressional districts.