Court Finance and Unitary Budgeting

Abstract

Among the difficulties besetting the courts today is lack of money. In this respect, they share adversity with most public and charitable institutions such as schools, universities, hospitals, parks and libraries. But the fiscal dilemma of the courts is unique in certain respects. They constitute an independent branch of government, critically necessary to the balance of our constitutional system. Yet they are expected to eschew the normal political process and, unlike other competitors for public resources, are prohibited from cultivating their own constituencies and utilizing lobbyists. Furthermore, the judicial systems of most states are heavily dependent on local government for their finance.' In these states, the courts must join the unhappy competition for the inadequate revenues of local property taxes.