• Font Size    

Today's Most Popular Video

Couple Recalls Deadly Tour Bus Crash
E-mail

Close Window E-mail This Page

Minn. Courts Seek $54 Million To Avoid Cuts

Required fields are marked with an asterisk(*)

The information you provide will be used only to send the requested e-mail and will not be used to send any other e-mail communications. Read more in our Privacy Policy

Send E-mail

   Print     Share +   
Sep 19, 2008 3:14 pm US/Central

Minn. Courts Seek $54 Million To Avoid Cuts

ST. PAUL (AP) ― Minnesota court leaders say they need an extra $54 million or will have to cut hundreds of jobs and force delays in hearing cases.

The courts' governing body has voted to ask the Legislature for the money in the upcoming budget cycle. Without it, they say 261 jobs will have to be cut.

The state's judicial branch says it is already running $19 million short.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Magnuson says the budget crunch is threatening public trust in the courts.

He says the judicial system isn't "just another state program" and lack of funding will have "grave consequences" if it continues.

Court leaders are meeting with lawmakers and plan to meet with Governor Tim Pawlenty to press their case.

(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.