NOTE: This story has been edited to add comment from Riverside Superior Court Jan. 17.
The budget proposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom Jan. 10 would give a 1.77% increase to trial court budgets if accepted as-is, bringing funding to $3.973 billion to be distributed to California superior courts through the Judicial Council. The amounts to be given to Riverside and San Bernardino superior courts have not been determined.
Newsom proposed an increase of $69 million to the trial court system.
He said the state was facing impending financial issues.
“With our state and nation facing economic headwinds, this budget keeps the state on solid economic footing while continuing to invest in Californians – including transformative funding to deliver on universal preschool, expand health care access to all and protect our communities,” Newsom said in a press release.
San Bernardino and Riverside superior courts expressed support for the increase.
“We appreciate the Governor’s continued support and investment in the judicial branch, as it aligns with the goals of the Chief Justice. The Proposed Budget is the major first step in the annual budget process, and we remain optimistic that the state budget will continue to recognize the critical need for sustainability in appropriate funding,” said Julie Van Hook, San Bernardino Superior Court communications and public affairs officer by email.
"We are thankful that, despite state revenues coming in lower than expected, the Governor has chosen to continue investing in the judicial branch for much needed critical programs and services. Among the most significant are implementation of the Community, Assistance, Recovery and Empowerment Act (CARE Courts), expansion of language access to court users, and facilities funds for much needed courthouses," Interim Court Executive Officer Marita Ford wrote by email.
The budget would also provide $8,306,000 for the construction of San Bernardino’s juvenile dependency courthouse addition and renovation. The 2022-23 budget had given $1,200,000 to the planning and working drawings of the project, and the 2021-22 budget gave $422,000 for the acquisition of the land, according to the proposed budget.
Newly sworn in California Supreme Justice Patricia Guerrero also released a statement in support of the budget.
“I appreciate Governor Newsom’s continued support in his budget proposal for the critical programs and services provided by the judicial branch to advance access to justice for all Californians. We look forward to working with the Governor's administration and the Legislature in the next few months as the budget is finalized,” Guerrero’s statement reads.
The budget proposal will be revised in May, and will have to pass the legislature and be signed by the governor in the summer before it takes effect.
The Judicial Council will also consider allocating $2,828,000 in state funding to the seven courts, including Riverside Superior Court, conducting the pilot program for the new CARE Court program, at the Council’s Jan. 20 meeting. The CARE Court program will allow people with mental health diseases to be forcibly committed to treatment and housing programs at the petition of concerned third parties.
The Council expects to give $587,000 to the county, approximately 21% of the funds, according to their agenda.
