By Trimmel Gomes
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-989792.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Governor Rick Scott approved a loan Tuesday for Florida's Court System to keep it going for another six months. As Trimmel Gomes reports, Florida's Court System is receiving close to 45-million dollars to avoid an impending deficit.
While speaking to a group of reporters Monday, Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady said the court's funding situation was dreadful.
"My primary concern as Chief Justice has to do with the finances of the state court system."
Canady said he had to ask for the loan because the court system isn't getting as much money as it used to, due to a reduction in new mortgage foreclosure cases. That's expected to shrink the courts revenue by 159-million dollars.
"We're a small part of state government but a very important part of state government."
With Governor Scott's approval of the loan, it's supposed to keep the courts afloat through March 2012. However, the Governor's budget director, Jerry McDaniel says the money must be repaid that following June. Court officials are expected to ask lawmakers for additional funds to repay the 45-point 6 million dollar loan and cover the rest of the deficit, during the Legislative Session which starts in January.