The ins and outs of the new 2009-11 budget

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Now that the ink has dried on the 2009-11 state budget, signed by Gov. Jim Doyle on June 29, here is a snapshot of the included provisions and omissions relating to the legal community.

In

A $3.63 million increase in state appropriations for funding of legal services for the poor. The increase is on top of the $1 million included in the last state budget for a total of $4.63 million during the next two years.

Increased funding for court interpreter reimbursement costs by $110,600 in FY 2010 and $196,400 in FY 2011 and mileage reimbursement by $60,400 in FY 2010 and $123,200 in FY 2011.

One percent reductions in state appropriations for circuit courts ($1.8 million), Court of Appeals ($196,000), Supreme Court ($582,000), State Public Defender ($1.6 million), district attorneys ($952,000) and the Department of Justice ($1.6 million) during the biennium.

Restoration of six administrative law judge positions in the Department of Workforce Development’s Equal Rights Division along with $646,000 in funding for those positions.

Out

Provision to restore joint and several liability standards to pre-1995 levels, which would have allowed defendants to be 100 percent liable for damages if found 1 percent at fault. Current law requires defendant to be at least 51 percent negligent to be liable for full damages.

Updated eligibility standards for those who qualify for public defenders along with 32 new SPD staff attorneys and 17 support positions. Approved by the Senate and Assembly, but vetoed by Doyle, the provision would have updated 22-year-old eligibility standards to coincide with current W-2 standards which are 115 percent of the federal poverty level. Implementation of the new eligibility standards would have taken effect in 2011 and had no fiscal impact on 2009-11 budget.

Provision to allocate $1 million in appropriated funds from the DOJ to provide annual raises of about $1,700 for 600 public defenders and district attorneys in the state. Passed by the Assembly and Senate, but vetoed by Doyle.

Proposed $5.4 million in cuts to the DOJ budget.