Iowa Courts want to furlough judges to save money

By Charlotte Eby

Des Moines BureauDES MOINES - Faced with steep budget cuts, Iowa court officials will ask lawmakers to allow them to furlough judges as a way to save money.

Steve Davis, a spokesman for the Iowa Supreme Court, said in a statement that court officials feel compelled to implement unpaid furloughs in this fiscal year and next year as a way to deal with budget reductions mandated by the Legislature.

He warned that furloughs could mean a case backlog and delay in hearing cases, citing a study that showed Iowa already has too few judges to deal with its workload.

Davis said the furlough plan has been approved by the Iowa Judges Association and the Magistrates Association and that unpaid leave would be mandatory rather than voluntary.

"The court prefers court-ordered rather than voluntary because court-ordered ensures that all judges and magistrates will participate," Davis said.

Iowa's court system already has come under fire after Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Marsha Ternus ordered travel restrictions on judges to save money.

Rural residents and some local elected officials complained the travel mandate has meant a judge has been available in their counties only a handful of days each month.

Rep. Jeff Kaufmann, R-Wilton, has been a vocal critic of the travel restrictions, but praised the idea of allowing furloughs for judges.

"It's one of many good options," Kaufmann said. "This in and of itself will not take care of the problems of the rural inequities, but this is something that people have been asking for."

Court officials have shut down county court offices some days to save money. The Judicial Branch also has asked Iowans to share cost-saving ideas on its Web site.

Kaufmann said the furlough option could help judges share in the sacrifice, which he said could help avoid layoffs.

"I think this also helps the spirit of those frontline courthouse employees to know that this is being shared from top to bottom," Kaufmann said.

Kaufmann shares the concern of possible court delays if furloughs are implemented.

"As long as that shared sacrifice is shared equally across Iowa, I think we'll get through this together," Kaufmann said.