Judge Awards Himself A Paycut

NACOGDOCHES, Texas (AP) — An East Texas county judge has given himself a $24,000 annual pay cut as residents face possible higher property taxes. 

The Nacogdoches (na-kuh-DOH'-chihs) Daily Sentinel (http://bit.ly/XzVThs ) reports Nacogdoches County Judge Mike Perry has submitted an affidavit to be paid less.

Perry, as of Oct. 1, will receive the same annual salary as county commissioners of nearly $52,000.

Commissioners on Tuesday held a budget workshop. A public hearing on proposed higher tax rates will be held Friday.

Perry, who took office earlier this year, says he didn't run for the job for what it paid anyway — total compensation topping $76,000. Perry says he promised to balance the county budget and he feels if other people sacrifice that he should, too.