U.S. Judges Complain Of Budget Cuts Then Throw Huge Party

From the San Diego Union-Tribune: Hundreds of federal judges from nine western states are gathering at the La Costa Resort & Spa this week for the annual 9th Circuit Court of Appeals’ Judicial Conference.
The event is costing $225,000 to put on — funded with $50,000 of taxpayer money and $175,000 in payments from attorneys who are charged to attend.
In addition, The Watchdog estimates a minimum of $700,000 will be spent on salaries of the 267 judges in attendance, which range from $164,000 to $223,500.
Each of the judges is also eligible for a $391 per day stipend for hotel accommodations and food, which could total $417,600 for the four-day conference that ends Thursday.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/aug/17/legal-minds-mingle-at-la-costa-amid-budget/
And a topic of the conference?: A conference session Wednesday afternoon highlighted the impact of judiciary budget cuts.
Yeah, and next year the 9th Circuit is holding their conference in Hawaii at $300 a night rooms.
Maybe if the judges spent less on parties, maybe they may not have as many budget problems.