By PETER HUSSMANN
The Iowa Judicial Branch was provided an infusion of funds in a bill signed by Iowa Gov. Chet Culver last night that will allow the court system to forgo the remaining two furlough days scheduled for June.
In signing the state standings bill, Senate File 478, the Iowa court system was provided a $760,000 supplemental appropriation that will allow clerk of courts offices across the state to remain open throughout the month of June. Later this week, the Iowa Supreme Court will issue an order canceling the June 5 and June 19 previously scheduled court closure days.
In addition, the bill signed by the governor last night improves the Iowa court system's financial outlook for the coming fiscal year. Previously, the Legislature had allocated $149 to the judicial branch for fiscal year 2010 operations. The standings bill increased that amount to $160.1 million. With the additional money, the court system's expected budget shortfall for next year fell from $15.4 million to $4.2 million. The judicial branch is in the process of studying expense reduction measures, including a switch from court reporters to digital recording devices, to deal with the budget shortfall.
Also included in the bill was a move to increase a number of court fees. The increases can be viewed here. While the new fees will be deposited into the state's general fund, the new revenue will help offset the higher appropriations to the judicial branch. The new fee schedule went into effect today.
The measure signed by Culver also voids the State Court Administrator's 2009 apportionment of magistrates issued in April and retains the current distribution.
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