Overview

• The Kansas general jurisdiction courts are funded by the state and the counties. The counties pay for their facilities and the operational expenses of the district courts.  Its FY10 budget was reduced by 9-12% and its FY11 budget was reduced by 1-4%.  Its FY10 general fund budget was $101.1 million.  Its FY11 general fund budget is $103.5 million, $10.2 million less than the cost of funding level services.  Kansas did receive additional state appropriations of $22.5 million, $4 million more than additional state appropriations received in FY10.  Additional federal revenue decreased from $1.8 million in FY10 to $400,000 in FY11.
• The Kansas general jurisdiction courts are funded by the state and the counties. The counties pay for their facilities and the operational expenses of the district courts.           
• Their total budget increased from $124.9 million in FY11 to $128.5 million in FY12.  The Kansas courts have been able to maintain the same number of judges and staff and to maintain the same level of operating expense.  Neither judges nor staff have received a cost of living increase since FY2009.          
• The Kansas courts have reduced hours of operation, eliminated temporary hours for non-judicial employees, delayed filling vacancies in the clerks’ offices and in judicial support positions and reduced the use of retired judges.            
• These steps have resulted in decreased court services in that fewer hours are available to the public, it takes longer to open a case, and case processing is delayed.          
• Kansas is implementing e-payment of fees and fines and has received a grant to implement e-filing.           
• The Kansas courts are working with the National Center for State Courts to do a weighted caseload study. The Kansas Supreme Court created a Blue Ribbon Commission to examine the Judicial Branch operation and court structure.  The BRC is reviewing the weighted caseload study, holding town hall meetings and developing recommendations to the Supreme Court regarding steps to take to enable the courts to provide access to timely justice in the most efficient manner.

Reports and Articles

• A. G. Sulzberger.  "Facing Cuts, a City Repeals Its Domestic Violence Law."  The New York Times. October 11, 2011.
• Jay Fowler.  "Ensure Courts Stay Open, Independent."  The Wichita Eagle. September 25, 2011.
• Anne Marie Bush.  "Chief Justice: Budget Cuts Would Hurt Review."  The Capital-Journal. February 15, 2011.
• Christina Janney.  "District Court Furloughs Start Friday."  The Kansan.com. April 7, 2010.
• Bobbi Mlynar.  "Furloughs Deferred; Quick Action Needed From Lawmakers, Governor."  The Emporia Gazette. February 5, 2010.
• Erin Brown.  "Kansas Could Abolish Death Penalty to Cut Costs."  January 27, 2010.

Gavel to Gavel

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