Newton Independent
The Iowa Judicial Branch today said it would layoff 105 employees, cut 100 vacant staff positions and reduce work hours for 58 employees in continued efforts to reduce its operating expenses for the current fiscal year.
Today's actions are in addition to the 10 days of court closures and unpaid leave for all judges, magistrates and court employees announced earlier this week.
The job cuts announced today equate to a 9.3 percent reduction in workforce
The actions taken by the state judicial system will reduce its operating budget by $11.4 million or 7.1 percent this fiscal year. The cut corresponds with the state's revenue shortfalls as estimated by the State Revenue Estimating Conference last month.
The court system initially considered making cuts commensurate with the governor's 10 percent across-the-board reduction ordered for executive branch agencies. However, as a separate branch of government, the judicial branch is not subject to the governor's order.
"The court thoroughly examined and earnestly considered the actions we would need to take to meet a 10 percent cut," said Chief Justice Marsha Ternus. "At 10 percent, the cost in terms of public service would be enormous, decimating our workforce and crippling our ability to resolve critical cases and provide essential services. As it is, a 7.1 percent cut requires draconian measures that will result in long delays, gaps in service, and reduced public access to the courts."
The full press release on the court's budget cuts can be read here.
