Iowa's chief justice worries a funding crises in near

DES MOINES — Mark Cady this year reaches 20 years of being on the Iowa Supreme Court, selected by the other members as its chief justice in 2010. In his annual State of the Judiciary speech to House and Senate lawmakers last Wednesday, he warned there are “ominous signs” the mission of Iowa’s court system is in jeopardy.

The system employs 182 fewer people than a year ago and is operating with 11 vacant judgeships and 115 “essential” positions left open.

Cady took a few moments to answer questions at a news conference after his speech.

Q. The governor is recommending a $1.9 million deappropriation in the Judicial Branch’s $175 million budget at a time when you are warning that the lack of resources “tear at the very fabric of our operation and mission.” How will the court system cope with a midyear budget cut?

A: We’re going to continue to manage in the way we have. We focus on the Iowans we need to serve. But it’s getting harder and harder and harder. We see that we can’t expand the programs that are working for Iowans. It just gets difficult every year.

We really do have to make a commitment to stand up and support the courts.

Read more: http://www.thegazette.com/subject/news/government/iowas-chief-justice-worries-a-funding-crises-in-near-20180113