MADISON, WI (WTAQ) – The Wisconsin Supreme Court would get more of a say in how the state’s court system is funded, under a budget proposal from Governor Scott Walker.
His two-year spending package would give block grants to the Supreme Court to pay for its operations and those of appellate and circuit courts.
Right now, the Legislature earmarks specific amounts for various court functions.
Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson said the arrangement could result in unintended consequences. For one thing, she says there’s not a method to pay over 300 court reporters — and they might have to be laid off unless lawmakers change the package.
Walker spokeswoman Laurel Patrick told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel it was an oversight, and the court reporters would be included before the final budget is passed. The Republican Walker also wants to get rid of the pay differential between the chief justice and the other six Supreme Court members.
Abrahamson gets $8,000 more each year in the chief’s role, since she’s had since 1996. Critics are calling it a move to cut her pay, but Patrick said the idea is to consider raising the salaries of other judges. She said a new panel would determine judicial salaries.
(Story courtesy of Wheeler News Service)
