AgdaPkt 2013-11-18 Special - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

9f3tYi3 M�sage fran fhe Presidng Judge � / d� � � � 0U � 8.A. - Page 150 �� "I'HE SUPE�2ItJR CtJLT1tT t3F CALiFORY'dIA ��'� / �CaUNTY C� F SAN MATEC� MESSAGE FROfM PRESJDING JUDC'rE RC7BERT D F4TLES On behalf of the San Mateo Cour�ty Superior Cc�urt 1 wish to thank the countless members of our communitywho wrote letters, made phone calls, and lobbied the �overr�r a� Legisiature to restore funding to the trial courts. Altt�t�h the receritiy passed state budget did not provide the level of fiscal relief we had hoped, it will save some joF�s and provide access to justice U�at wauld have otherwise been lost. While we appreciate every penrry, it should be clear that the $60 miliion partial funding restoration daesn't begin ta erase the damage done by$261 million in currerit cuts to the trial caurfs combir�ed with the ongoing $214 millEon reductior�s from previous years. Sadly,the partial restaration is r�t enaugh to save all of our currerrt Cammissioners and employess. {3n July 15th our court again contracted. 'Tnree excellerrt Cammissior�rs were released {and ane vacant Commissioner position wili be held open}, leaving only three tc� do the jab of seven. Operations at the San Mateo Gourthouse were temporarily suspended and the South San FranciscQ deric's o�ice and #hrse judicial officers were relc�cated to Redwood Ciiy. tn addition, seven valued co�art employees will be released in September. Urdc�rtunately, such consolidation and further reductions are necessary to meet currer� budget constraints. C7ver the past five years state cuts to �he trial courts have necessitated tl�e red�tion of 34°l0 of our workforce. The majorify of our jt�diciary and operations are now consolidated in the Hall of Justice in F2edwaod Ciiy, This new fiscal year will again preserrt significarti#chatlenges for our court. The Ic�ss of Commissioners will contribute to an already developing backlog. iUevertheless, our court has faced these challenges directly. We have reconciled w+th harci fiscal choices, taken pruder�, appropriate actians, eut costs and uufilized techr�logy and business process reengineering to ma�imize access to justice, given our reduced resources. We coritinue to be committed to providing �e bes#trial courE services possible, given our available resources. We hope that Califomia's fiscal crisis is an the mend. As state tax revenues _ increase and Califomia becomes more solvent, court funding should increase. I urge everyone ta remain vigilarrt in reminding state lawmakers that a strong economy relies on a judicial system that works. Yaur cc�rrtinued support is - essen�al as we strive to seek appropriate funding le�ls far the court. Wikh yaur help, I am cor�fiderrt that we will restore esserrtial justice ta San Mateo County. MtFslhmwsarvr�at�caurtorg/gerreral irrfWjudges/messa�e Gom�residirgJudge.�.a 1/2