Last Friday, July 12, Gov. Deval L. Patrick signed the fiscal
year 2014 budget with numerous amendments and vetoes -- cutting
$435 million in spending from the Legislature's proposal.
Among the amendments sent back by the governor, is one which
would change the effective dates of the proposed $30,000 pay raise
for Massachusetts' judges. The governor's amendment has the entire
raise effective on Jan. 1, 2014. The Legislature approved the same
$30,000 increase effective incrementally in three phases beginning
on Jan. 1, 2014 and ending July 1, 2015. The Legislature is
anticipated to take up overrides of the governor's vetoes in the
coming days; however, it is unclear of the pay raise amendment will
be overridden.