Legislative Update: June 2014

State Budget is Kind to Court Facilities Program For the first time in several years the Administrative Office of the Court’s ambitious $5 Billion court construction and modernization program has not been harmed by the State Budget. The past several budgets, when the state was facing significant and painful budget revenue deficits, the Legislature and Governor took or borrowed nearly $2 Billion from the court construction and modernization program, causing the cancellation of some projects and delays in several others. This year’s budget did not take any additional funds, actually returned some the funds previously taken, and appropriated new funds into the program. The budget returned $130 Million borrowed in prior years and appropriated $40 Million in new money. Over $200 Million is expected to be returned over the next two budget cycles. Most of the money taken, however, is gone and expected to never be returned.

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