Director's column: State budget creates challenging environment

A. John Voelker

The smoke is starting to clear from a state budget described in varying terms by some as "unprecedented," "secretly crafted," "painful," "responsible," and "extremely difficult."  No matter your opinion on the contents or how the process was managed, at least we can say the 2009-11 state budget was timely. This is the first time it has been completed prior to July 1 since 1977. 

With the signing of the budget on June 29, 2009, our efforts move from communication with the other branches of government to implementation.  While navigating the political process of the budget is always filled with surprises and challenges, the responsibility of operating the court system effectively within the new budget will be more challenging than ever. The challenges result from both the fiscal and policy items included in the final package.  Throughout the process, we had continual, and I believe productive, communication with the other branches to moderate the effect on the court system.

The fiscal effects include a $7.4 million reduction in the court system budget. This cut will require all of us to be as sensitive as ever about controlling expenses. It will also require us to deal with the issues associated with furloughs of non-judicial personnel.

There is no doubt that mandatory furloughs on top of rescinded pay raises put significant financial strain on our employees. Furloughs also put significant operational strains on the system. Non-judicial personnel throughout the system, either in Madison or in each of the counties, are critical to the court's fulfilling its responsibilities. We will strive to ensure any approach to furloughs is as fair as possible to our personnel and as least disruptive to the operations.  As an employer it is very difficult to require dedicated staff to in essence take a pay cut.

The non-fiscal law changes in the budget will also require significant effort to ensure the court system is in compliance. The most significant of these changes involves sentencing practices. At one time or another, the budget contained a variety of provisions regarding sentencing.  In the end, the governor vetoed or partially vetoed a number of these provisions. (see separate story)

Thankfully, some of the sentencing provisions include a delayed effective date of October 1.  This delayed date, which we were advocating, will allow us to put together a plan of action to communicate with and educate judges and court personnel on these changes. We are now in the process of sorting out these provisions. 

In the coming months we will look at different methods to communicate these changes including bulletins, webcasting, and educational sessions at upcoming programs.

Unfortunately, I think implementation will be challenging.  However, the one thing that I have learned throughout my years in the court system, and reinforced since becoming director, is that even during the most challenging of circumstances, judges and non-judicial personnel alike respond with a problem-solving attitude.

It reminds me of a quote from inventor David Sarnoff, who said, "The will to persevere is often the difference between failure and success." While dealing with the consequences of the economic downturn may be one of the system's biggest challenges in a number of years, I expect we will be successful in addressing the challenges that lie ahead.

In the meantime, I am hopeful that the few positive financial indicators that have been identified in recent weeks are a sign that the next biennial budget will not be as painful.

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