Supreme Court Refrains From Giving Staff 
Across-The-Board or Merit Salary Increases

      Charleston, W.Va . - For the first time in many years, the West Virginia Supreme Court will not give West Virginia court system employees a yearly across-the-board salary increase. The Court also did not approve any merit raises.

      The Court’s general practice is to consider across-the-board and merit salary increases each year before July 1.

      Chief Justice Larry Starcher referred to West Virginia’s tight state government budget in a letter to employees explaining the decision.

      "[B]ecause neither the Legislature nor the Executive provided salary increases for teachers, state police, buildings and grounds workers, the 53% of our Court personnel whose salaries are set by the Legislature, or other State employees, the Court was of the opinion that it would be inappropriate for our branch of government to provide across the board or merit increases at this time," Chief Justice Starcher wrote.

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