Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Page 3
Governor Signs Measure Postponing Filling of Judgeships
By a MetNews Staff Writer
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Saturday signed a measure that will postpone the filling of 60 new judgeships in the state’s trial courts.
ABXXX 8 was one of eight bills the governor signed in order to deal with the state’s revenue shortfall. It will defer the filling of the last 10 judgeships—out of a total of 50—created by SB 56, as well as the 50 judgeships created by AB 159.
The 10 SB 56 positions that are still vacant now cannot be filled before July 1. The 50 positions authorized last year by AB 159—which would have been funded as of June 1 of this year—now cannot be filled until June 1 of next year.
The Los Angeles Superior Court, which already received two new judges under SB 56, is to receive one judge under AB 159. ABXXX 8 does not affect another provision of AB 159 which authorizes the conversion of subordinate judicial officer positions into judgeships.
The bill passed the Senate 34-5 and the Assembly 68-3, as lawmakers moved quickly through a series of “fiscal emergency” measures as part of a special session. All Los Angeles County legislators voted for the bill.
Copyright 2008, Metropolitan News Company