Budget Resource
Center

...providing state budgets, reports, and current news to help the court community make informed budgetary decisions.

Alabama

Actions Underway

• Alabama trial courts are funded primarily by the state.  Their budget was cut by 2.5% ($4 million) in FY09.  Funding in FY10 is $1 million above the FY2009 budget, not enough to cover the $4 million in FY10 mandatory pay raises and other inflationary costs.
• The Judiciary imposed a hiring and promotion freeze in October, 2008.  The only employees being replaced are based on “critical need.”  Alabama did not give merit increases in FY2009 and will not give them in FY2010 unless additional funds are given.  The Judiciary has offered early retirement to those who met the requisites.
• Alabama has implemented several cost saving measures, including reducing the number of forms being printed and distributed to the field, cutting back on print shop services, moving to electronic mailing of memoranda, and expanded use of videoconferencing for educational programs and committee meetings.
• Alabama is implementing new case and juror management strategies.The Court is considering altering venue and jurisdictional lines and taking steps to enable a more flexible allocation of judges and court personnel across organizational and jurisdictional lines.  The courts are in the process of implementing an electronic case management system that will lead to a statewide paperless environment.

Gavel to Gavel

• Database. Search the Gavel to Gavel legislation database based on state, year, legislation category, or any combination.

State Links

• Court Budget Web Sites
• Strategic Planning
• State Budgets for 2009
• State Budget Offices