General Assembly OKs Salary Boosts for Cecil County Sheriff, Orphans Court Judges

The Maryland General Assembly has passed legislation boosting future salaries for the Cecil County Sheriff and the three judges on the county’s Orphans Court, but the sheriff will still be paid less than law enforcement heads in many other smaller counties with less crime and fewer responsibilities. The legislation, SB936, was sponsored by Cecil County’s two senators, Nancy Jacobs (R-34) and Steve Hershey (R-36). There was no companion bill offered in the House by the county’s delegates, but the Senate bill cleared both chambers without any dissenting votes. The Senate initially endorsed the bill on 3/4/14—with amendments to add a late request from the Orphans Court judges for a pay boost—while the House voted 134-0 on 4/4/14 to approve the measure. The salary increases would not take effect until after the November general election, when a new Sheriff will be elected and the court seats are also on the ballot. Barry Janney, the current county Sheriff, is retiring at the end of the year and there is a broad field of candidates seeking to replace him. Several months ago, Janney asked County Executive Tari Moore and the Cecil County Council for a salary boost, saying that he had been reluctant [...]