NYSBA urges state to pass judiciary budget

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The New York State Bar Association is urging state lawmakers to approve the judiciary’s $2.4 billion request in its entirety so the court system can maintain its basic operations.

In a statement issued Friday, President Seymour W. James Jr. pointed out that the budget is essentially flat from the current fiscal year. The general fund portion is $1.75 billion, a decrease of $212,013. An additional $634 million in fringe benefits brings the total to $2.4 billion and includes $40 million, up $15 million, for civil legal services, and $15 million, the same as this year, in the Interest on Lawyers Account fund.

“The court system is prepared to absorb added costs in a proposed operating budget that is slightly smaller than its current budget,” James wrote. “To control spending, it is continuing to streamline its operations and adopt new technologies, such as the expansion of e-filing. We are pleased that Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman has included an additional $15 million to provide civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers, who are particularly affected by these difficult economic times.

He notes that a January “Report of the Executive Committee on the Impact of Recent Budget Cuts in New York State Court Funding,” issued by the association, documents how past budget cuts endangered the effectiveness and efficiency of the courts and their ability to keep up with the growing caseloads.