Bill to give sheriffs pay raises gains momentum

A proposal that would give Louisiana’s sheriffs an opportunity for a salary boost next year has started moving ahead in the state Legislature. A Senate judiciary committee backed the measure this morning, with the support of Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration. The measure by New Orleans Sen. J. P. Morrell would create an “executive management institute” for sheriffs, to teach them management skills and require annual follow-up training. The mandatory training requirement would begin Jan. 1. When a sheriff has completed the training requirement, that local elected official would be able to get a pay raise—if lawmakers have approved a salary boost for district court judges, who get the same pay as sheriffs. The last raise for sheriffs was two years ago.