During oral argument Thursday of a second case to force a pay raise for New York’s 1,300 judges, a Manhattan Supreme Court justice expressed views similar to those of an Albany judge, who in December ordered a trial to determine whether the Legislature’s inaction since 1999 violates the separation-of-powers doctrine.
Justice Edward H. Lehner in Manhattan also determined, during a 90-minute argument on New York’s motion to dismiss, that he will rule separately on the pay raise issue, denying a motion from the governor and Legislature to shift venue to Albany.
