Gov to judges: Work 9 to 5 – or no raise

If judges want a fair day’s wage, they’d better start putting in a full day’s work, Gov. Cuomo warns in a new punch-the-clock provision of his state-budget proposal.

Cuomo is calling on the state comptroller to audit the workdays of all New York jurists to see if they are putting in full 40-hour weeks — especially those in the court-backlogged Big Apple.

The proposal — which would affect about 1,250 state-paid judges — was in response to the judiciary’s request for a budget increase of 2.5 percent.

“My position is the backlog of cases is tremendous, especially in downstate New York,” Cuomo said last week. “The people of the state have a right to know that the courts are open and functioning from 9 to 5. You have many courthouses where literally at 1 o’clock, the place shuts down.

“So, I would support the increase at 2.5, but the judges have to certify that the courtrooms are actually operating from 9 to 5.”

One court source said judges closing up shop early is a pervasive problem.

“Go out to Nassau County at 1:30 in the afternoon — and I’m not even talking about a Friday — and you can go bowling in the parking lot,” the source said.

The source also predicted the State Supreme Court Judges Association will sue if they’re required to report their hours, arguing that the executive branch can’t interfere with the judiciary.

“It’s unclear if they’d win or not,” the source said.

“Will the Legislature go along with it? It’s not out of hand — the Legislature has no great love for the judiciary. They make [a minimum] $79,000 a year, and the state Supreme Court judges make $194,900.”

Last year, The Post exposed one judge, Daniel J. McCullough of Queens, who “persistently failed to report to work” but still reaped his $193,000-a-year salary for three years before he stepped down.

Then there’s Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Joan Kenney, who showed up an hour late to a hearing — then had a meltdown in court, yelling at reporters. She was demoted to city Civil Court last May.

In 2016, NBC New York found that night-court judges in Queens routinely adjourn court early — even while some defendants are still awaiting arraignment.

But the state Office of Court Administration insisted Cuomo’s measure is “not necessary.”

“Judges of the Unified Court System have difficult jobs and work tirelessly,” spokesperson Lucian Chalfen said in a statement.

“Any issues of judge’s attendance that have come to our attention are identified and promptly dealt with.”

You have many courthouses where literally at 1 o’clock, the place shuts down. — Gov. Cuomo