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For Release: Immediate Contact: Lise Bang-Jensen
“The Judiciary has proposed a budget, in these difficult financial times, that while essentially flat, recognizes its foremost mission is to protect access to justice for all New Yorkers. “The court system is prepared to absorb added costs in a proposed operating budget that is slightly smaller than its current budget. To control spending, it is continuing to streamline its operations and adopt new technologies, such as the expansion of e-filing. “We are pleased that Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman has included an additional $15 million to provide civil legal services to low-income New Yorkers, who are particularly affected by these difficult economic times. “In January 2012, the New York State Bar Association issued the ‘Report of the Executive Committee on the Impact of Recent Budget Cuts in New York State Court Funding.’ The report documented how past budget cuts endangered the effectiveness and efficiency of the courts and their ability to keep up with the growing caseloads. “We are aware that Superstorm Sandy has further aggravated the state’s budget problems and that the court system has responded by making difficult decisions about its spending. “We urge the state Legislature to approve the Judiciary’s budget request in its entirety so that the court system can maintain its basic operations.” -30-
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