Courts Will Shut Down Extra Days to Deal with Budget Cuts

November 24, 2009

by Kim Hynes (WICHITA, Kan.)

Kansas courts will shut down for 12 extra days next year because of budget cuts. That means court employees will be furloughed and forced to stay home without pay.

Sedgwick County District Court Chief Judge James Fleetwood says he's sorry that it's come to this. Earlier this year, lawmakers cut the judicial budget by $8.3 million. He was hopeful lawmakers would reinstate the money in January. But Monday the governor announced that he only planned for $5 million to be put back. That leaves a $3.3 million deficit for the courts.

Fleetwood says shutting down the courts will have a major impact on the community. Not only will employees lose pay, but essential services provided by the court will also be put on hold. The sheriff is also concerned, because when the courts are closed people have to stay in jail longer. He says he's already dealing with overcrowding and this could make it worse.

The courts will likely shut down two days a month for six months starting in February. Fleetwood says he feels bad for his employees. He says one third already work two jobs to make ends meet. He says this is going to create an even bigger burden on people.

By law judges cannot be furloughed. So when the courts are shut down, judges will still report to work. They'll be available to sign protection from abuse orders and other family law issues that cannot be delayed.

The furloughs won't be official until lawmakers reconvene in January. They still have to reinstate the $5 million the governor suggested.

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