The presiding judge of the Florida Supreme Court expressed optimism that the state legislature will give consideration to court budget requests that in part ask for more than $12.5 million for a pandemic recovery plan to address an anticipated backlog in cases.
Chief Justice Charles Canady, who oversees budget matters presented to the state legislature, told The Florida Bar Board of Governors during a virtual meeting on Jan. 29 that he believes that leaders of the House and Senate plus appropriations committees chairs dealing with court funding are “all people that we can work with,” The Florida Bar News Feb. 1 report said.
The court system requested $16 million, including $12.5 million for pandemic recovery, The Florida Bar News report said.
In addition to funding for recovery, the courts asked for $3 million in coronavirus response needs, involving remote technology and personal protective equipment, The Florida Bar News report said.
The judicial branch’s transition to remote work will result in the state’s trial courts disposing of approximately “2.5 million cases this fiscal year,” Paul Flemming, public information officer with the Office of the State Courts Administrator, said in a statement to the Florida Record.
“However, despite the innovative steps taken to adapt to the pandemic, a significant workload increase is anticipated as the courts return to normal operations. An estimated one million cases beyond what would otherwise be anticipated will be pending on Thursday, July 1,” Flemming said.
The pandemic recovery plan includes $5.7 million for OPS general magistrates, court program specialists and staff attorneys; $5.8 million for senior judge days; and $1 million for mediation services, Flemming said.
“These temporary resources will best position the courts to address what will likely be an unprecedented workload and ensure that justice is delivered and disputes are resolved in a fair, reliable and timely manner.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ budget proposal for fiscal year 2021-2022 recommends $96.6 billion, with $35.8 billion for general revenue and $6.6 billion for reserves, the Florida LEADS website said.