Court layoffs won’t happen until next month

Linn County District court employees, along with others throughout the state received an internal memo today, saying no judicial cuts will be announced until next month.

David Boyd, state court administrator, sent out the memo to put rumors to rest that layoffs were starting today or Tuesday when the Gov. Chet Culver announces his budget cuts. The judicial branch is still analyzing options for cost-reduction measures.

Culver last week asked for a 10 percent cut in state spending. The judicial branch will have to cut $16 million.

Boyd said the judicial branch won't make an announcement until after the Supreme Court has approved a final plan, which will “not occur until sometime next month.”

Boyd also informs employees or judges if they have any plans to retire or are interested in taking a voluntary layoff, they should do it now to to lessen the amount and impact of the budget cuts.

The “magnitude of this impending cut makes it impossible” to reduce expenses without reducing people, Boyd said.