New York State is facing a 14.5 billion budget deficit due to the coronavirus pandemic. That has led Gov. Andrew Cuomo to enact state budget cuts, including a 10% cut to New York's Unified Court System. Statewide, that cut amounts to $300 million and means the termination of 46 state judges who are 70 or older. That group includes State Supreme Court Justice Joseph R. Glownia, 73, a 30-year veteran of the Eighth Judicial District in Western New York.
The Buffalo News reports Glownia was first elected to a 14-year term in 1990 and another term in 2004. He has had his term extended by two years twice and was expecting another extension one more time in January.
Mandatory retirement age for judges is 70, but if they show no physical or mental decline, they are frequently extended by two years up to three more times. State Supreme Court justices earn $210,900 annually.
Also being terminated at the end of the year are their staffs, including law clerks and administrative assistants.
