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By the Daily News

Tuesday, February 10, 2009 11:39 AM CST



We believe that Kentucky Supreme Court Chief Justice John Minton Jr. is onto something involving a program designed to save the court system more than $1 million and allow the last 22 retiring judges in the state to continue in that role on a part-time basis.



Minton also proposed that the newest senior judges, including seven in Jefferson County, stay where they are indefinitely, saving the courts about $10,000 a month per judge in salary expenses.



This is definitely a welcome proposal considering the state?s budget shortfall.



The decision not to move senior judges would save money because their extra retirement pay comes from a judicial retirement account, not the general fund.



Minton also said that because of the state?s budget shortfall, the courts may move very slowly in appointing new judges to fill open seats.



The only condition for the senior judges is that they agree to continue working part-time around the state for five years after officially retiring.



Currently, senior judges receive around $30,000 a year in additional retirement pay.



The recent rate of retirements has moved the senior-status program to 69 judges, nearly three times more than four years ago.



We believe that these senior judges provide a valuable resource for our state and it is crucial that they continue to serve the commonwealth if they are capable and able.



Minton?s plan would also provide more continuity to our court system.



Some worry that there won?t be enough time for appointments before the next election for District Court judges in November 2010, but Minton said that there will be plenty of time for those appointments.



This program allows us to keep senior judges on the bench and save the state money during a time of unprecedented shortfalls.



Louisville District Judge Toni Stringer, who retired recently to beat the Jan. 31 deadline to participate in the senior judge pension program, put it best when she said, ?It would be a win-win for everybody.?