Ruling is only part of Iowa’s judicial problems

Democrats are being disingenuous when they claim out-of-state interests and money are involved in the campaign to not retain three Iowa Supreme Court justices.

A Gazette article shortly after the same-sex marriage ruling came down documented how well-funded, liberal, out-of-state legal and gay rights groups spent years laying the groundwork and then waited patiently for the last pieces to fall into place. The ascension of Marsha Ternus to chief justice in 2006 was the last piece in their plan.

As bad as this is for a conservative like me, it gets much worse for all Iowans. In response to budget cuts over the past 10 years, the justices cut personnel and funding to the Juvenile Court and District Court 18.6 percent to 32.17 percent.

They also increased their personnel

2.26 percent besides being relocated into a beautiful new judicial branch building that cost $31 million. From 2006 to 2009, the chief justice's salary went up 31.16 percent to $170,850. In the same time period, union employees received two across-the board increases of

3.5 percent and 2 percent.

Due to cuts, the Clerk of Court offices close to the public at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and there is a long wait to get cases before a judge or jury. The mismanagement of the judicial branch rests at the feet of the Supreme Court.

Gary Bunce

Cedar Rapids