Lawyers e-Journal
Thursday, May. 10, 2012
Senate Ways and Means set to release budget proposal
Join the MBA in advocating for an adequately funded justice system throughout the budget process
As the result of last month's House of Representatives budget
debate, the Massachusetts Trial Court was funded at $560 million
for Fiscal Year 2013, $8 million below Gov. Deval Patrick's
recommendation.
Additional funding is essential to address critical court system
operating needs.
The Senate Ways and Means Committee will release its budget
proposal as early as Monday, May 14. Amendments will be due on May
18 and the budget will be debated by the full Senate beginning May
23.
Your continued outreach to your respective senators
is helpful as the Massachusetts Bar Association continues to
advocate for an adequately funded justice system throughout the
budget process.
As you know, the court system is serving approximately 42,000
people, who enter the courthouses each day, with more than 1,300
fewer court personnel since July 2007. Court backlogs are
increasing; many clerks and registers have had to reduce public
hours of operation, except for emergencies; and, there is an
insufficient number of court officers, which also increases
security risks and causes disruptions and delays.
For more information or resources to assist with your
outreach, click
here.