MinnLawyer Blog

A review of Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s budget plan reveals news that is bad for the courts, but not as bad as some had feared. Pawlenty proposes a general 5 percent reduction in appropriations for the courts and for the Board of Legal Defense in the 2010-11 biennium.  Some had worried that the cut could be as drastic as 10 percent. Of course this recommendation, like the rest of the budget plan, depends upon the state being able to get and use about a $1 billion in federal stimulus funds in order to help plug the deficit hole.

“The Governor’s general recommendations for the judicial and legislative branches and other constitutional offices reflect his concern with the magnitude of the projected shortfall and the desire to protect core government functions,” writes Minnesota Management & Budget Commissioner Tom Hanson in the proposal.

So where are the courts to come up with these cost savings? The governor’s plan contains the following advice:

As with the executive branch, the Governor suggests that these offices and institutions individually redesign their operations to increase efficiencies while minimizing the disruption of public services as much as possible.

While the proposed cut is not as big as it could have been (at this point anyway), it still would be tough for the courts to digest. The court system is facing a budget crunch even with its current budget.

In a press conference about two weeks ago, Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Magnuson said:

The court system is operating 9 percent short-staffed, has a hiring freeze, and has a hold on filling judge vacancies. Public service windows are closed part of each week in many courthouses. Delays in case filing, hearings and dispositions are building throughout the state as staff and judges struggle to keep up with their caseloads.

Any cut presumably will only serve to make the situation worse. (The courts are expected to issue a reaction to the latest proposed cut shortly.)  An added concern is that the 5 percent is only a starting point. Pawlenty could proposed deeper cuts if the federal stimulus money does not all come through, and legislators could make cuts of their own.

The plan does provide $5.6 million for increased costs in mandated services. Click here to see the full narrative for the courts. Click here for general budget coverage from the Strib.

We will provide updates as they become available here and/or on our website, www.minnlawyer.com.