Govenor Brown Issues Revised 2012-13 Budget – Devastating Cuts to Courts

Govenor Brown released a revised state budget that, again, negatively targets the judiciary. Below is an excerpt from the proposed state budget:

Funding Courts Budgets From Alternative Sources

This year's budget restructures trial court funding, reducing General Fund support by $300 million on a one-time basis and requiring each trial court to use their available reserve. It delays court construction for a savings of $240 million and increases retirement contributions for state court employees. Altogether, these will result in $125 million in ongoing savings.

The Open Courts Coalition released the following statement:

Courts have already absorbed punishing budget cuts and this new round of cuts has called into question whether California courtrooms can perform their basic functions. The Open Courts Coalition and its over 200 participating legal associations remain committed to defending the branch from this financial assault and will continue to work as a unified voice for a statewide solution to the crisis.