Court employees suggest savings

In light of recently ordered state budget cuts, Iowa court workers have suggested cutting every department employee's pay by 10 percent - and a few say the cutting should begin with Chief Justice Marsha Ternus' salary.

“The sacrifice would be borne by all equally,” the efficiency of the courts wouldn't suffer and “Ternus would be perceived as a fair and just arbiter,” one employee wrote in an e-mail.

Another said Ternus and other judges should feel the pain rather than “putting the burden on the lower paid employees.”

Court employees across the state took Ternus up on her offer to submit budget reduction ideas for her to consider. The 10 percent cut Gov. Chet Culver ordered this month means the courts have to make a $16 million reduction by June.

The majority of workers said they are willing to take furlough days and pay cuts if it means preserving jobs. One employee said she feared people would lose their homes if they are laid off in this “bleak” job market.

One worker called for elimination of the senior judges and court attendants and a reduction in travel.

A retired judge suggested he and others in his position would be willing to volunteer their time to help out.

Another judge suggested a charge for courthouse weddings, saying he turns down the checks and cash many couples offer.

He also said the Supreme Court should place statewide stays on all civil damage cases because they're a lower priority.

A court reporter suggested several detailed ideas for maintaining that position, including freezing the reporters' salaries and having them provide their own steno paper.

Court reporters feel they have come under fire because a committee is studying the feasibility of using digital audio recording devices. Afew court employees suggested cutting all the reporters and replacing them with the devices.