ALBANY – The frustration of New York state judges who have gone without a raise since 1999 came a step closer to ending yesterday after lawmakers approved the creation of a commission to recommend new salary levels once every four years.

The judicial pay commission—if approved as expected by Governor David A. Paterson—would represent the best prospect for a salary increase for some 1,300 state-paid judges since their last pay hike nearly a dozen years ago.