Governor Branstad announced his proposed budget yesterday with $110 million in cuts. This includes $7.7 million in budget cuts for the judiciary.

The budget cuts in the judiciary are alarming. Today, Chief Justice Mark Cady will give his state of the judiciary address. It will be interesting to hear his comments based upon the fact that past cuts have already thinned out resources for our judicial branch.

I’ll be frank. I did not know there was $7.7 million left to cut from our judicial branch based upon past cuts. Iowans need access to judiciary services and the governor’s proposed budget threatens access to justice for our citizens. This will be a challenge for our judiciary to say the least.