Legislative panel rejects pay rise for elected officials

— A legislative committee has recommended keeping salaries flat for the state’s elected officials, stripping a proposed pay increase for judges and prosecutors from a budget bill.

The Joint Budget Committee on Wednesday advanced the proposed General Appropriation Act, which sets the funding level for the executive, legislative and judicial branches of state government.

The legislation is the first budget bill that must be passed during the session.

The $39 million bill would keep salaries flat for the state’s elected officials.

The panel removed a provision that would have increased salaries for prosecutors and judges, including the state’s Supreme Court justices and Appeals Court judges, by about 2 percent.

The measure now heads to the House.

The House and Senate convened Monday to start the 2013 legislative session.

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