SUPREME COURT OF ALABAMA CHIEF JUSTICE
“JUDICIAL BUILDING: ROYS. MOORE
300 DEXTER AVENUE u
MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA 361043741 Guerin
(G34) 228.0700
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MICHAEL F BOLIN
‘TOM PARKER
GLENN MURDOCK,
December 9, 2015 GREG SHAW
AMES ALLEN MAIN
A, KELL WISE,
TOMMY ELIAS SRYAN
The Honorable Robert Bentley
Alabama State Capitol
Montgomery, AL 36104
Dear Governor Bentley:
As you are aware, the Alabama Unified Judicial System (UJS) continues to be in
need of additional revenues to sustain the operation of our court system. Since 2008, the
employees of the UJS have received only one merit raise and no promotions.
Nevertheless, the employees of both the Executive and Legislative Branches of
Government continue to receive both raises and promotions. This past year the UJS
collected approximately $61 million dollars dedicated to the General Fund for Executive
Branch agencies, which received merit raises and promotions costing over $18
million. The Judicial Branch of Government does not mind suffering and doing our fair
share during economic downturns; however, there is no reason that our hard-working
employees should suffer alone. We should not allow this injustice to continue.
In accordance with the Alabama Constitution, Dr. Rich Hobson, Administrative
Director of Courts, submits a budget for the UJS to you each year, For the past several
years you have indicated that you would recommend our budget request to the
Legislature; however, you have reduced our requested amount each year— including
monies intended for promotions and merit raises for deserving employees. The cost for
the UJ to receive promotions and merit raises this fiscal year is $2.8 million.
The UJ$ is obviously not being regarded as a Branch of Government, and, in fact,
is being treated worse than an agency. We operate a constitutional function of
government and do not have programs to cut. I call upon you to release our First Tier
Conditional Appropriation of $12 million, or some part thereof, as soon as such fundsPage Two
are available, We have lost over 305 personnel since 2011, including 85 Juvenile
Probation Officers, and continue to lose experienced employees to the other branches of,
government, We, again, respectfully ask that you support and advocate for our budget
in the upcoming legislative session.
Roy& Moore
Chief Justice, Alabama Supreme Court
Sincerely
c: Dr, Rich Hobson, Administrative Director of Courts