A SILENT ENDORSEMENT FOR JUDGES' PAY

The governor's budget proposal recommends across-the-board pay increases of 1 percent for state employees. But there are other considerations that would affect each worker's paychecks, and the budget proposed this week anticipates an overall average pay increase of 4 percent. This is considerably less, of course, than the huge increases recommended by a state pay panel -- most of whom were appointed by the governor -- for judges and legislators.

The General Assembly seems inclined to turn down the panel's proposals. Asked this week if he would push to get the panel's plan rejected, the governor said he would voice his opposition to the increase for legislators. But, he said, he really hadn't taken much notice of the judges' pay boost.

This is hardly likely. The governor is a lawyer, and both of his bids to occupy the governor's office have been strongly supported by trial attorneys who try cases before those judges whose pay is at stake.

In effect, the governor's silence on the judges' pay is little more than an endorsement. When the governor says taxpayers are only concerned about the legislative pay raises, he is wrong. Taxpayers are worried about any pay increases that are out of line, including those of judges.