The House Committee on Ways and Means released its budget
yesterday, which included $637 million in maintenance funding for
the Trial Court and an additional $2.8 million for specialty
courts. This is $17.3 million below the Trial Court's maintenance
request of $654.3 million and would force approximately 300
layoffs, according to a statement by Supreme Judicial Court Chief
Justice Ralph Gants, Trial Court Chief Justice Paula Carey and
Court Administrator Harry Spence.
The Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation was allocated $18
million in funding for FY17 by the House Ways and Means Committee,
which is $9 million less than their budget request. Rep. Ruth
Balser (D-Newton) is filing an amendment for an additional $9
million.
The House will begin debating the FY17 budget the week of April
25. The Senate will begin budget deliberations in May.