LA County court employees came up with ideas to make LA Courts greener and leaner. SEIU 721 researchers found that several of these added up to real savings of $20 million – 20% of the projected shortfall for 2010-11.
But LA County court administrators are dragging their feet – putting potential savings for 2010-11 at risk. In an April 2 letter, Deputy Executive Officer William Mitchell rejected members’ proposals.
Click here to read the court’s response (pdf).
“I don’t understand why the court isn’t doing more to save every penny. $20 million would keep a lot of courtrooms and public windows open. The courts can do this on their own, without waiting for the AOC.”
>> Jessica Lee, CSA II at Stanley Mosk.
It’s time to change how the court works. Watch for our response to the Courts that will include aggressive steps the court can take to maximize security savings and lobby for green technology and an implementation plan to secure savings for next year when they are needed most.
Potential annual savings: $20 million
Review deployment of security staff to find savings: $10 million
Implement green technology to save energy costs and employ federal funding to defray the cost of retrofits: $7 million
Consolidate law books into central locations at each courthouse: $2.5 million
Cut automatic subscriptions to legal newspapers. Judicial officers may use professional development allowances: $647,762
End transcription for jury instructions in felony trials unless requested by the Court of Appeal: $87,801
Use email to distribute appeal notices, memos, timesheets, status update form and other documents to court reporters: $13,852
Charge duplication fees to outside agencies, and attorneys: $10,000
*Sources: LA Superior Court financial reports