Benson to lead House approach to court funding.

Rep. Holly Benson, R-Pensacola, has been named chair of the House Select Committee on Article V, which will oversee the House's approach to the constitutional mandate that the state take over more funding of the trial courts.

The first meeting of the panel was set for January 24, after this News went to press.

While the legislature isn't likely to do much with funding this year, Benson said, it is important to set policies and priorities. The state has a constitutional deadline of taking over most funding for county and circuit courts by July 1, 2004, and counties are beginning work on their next fiscal year, which begins October 1 and extends past the constitutional date.

"They're eager to know what they're going to be responsible for and what we're going to be responsible for," Benson said. "Odds are we will be setting policies [this year]. I don't anticipate doing major funding shifts this year."

Benson said she's already been meeting with the various players affected by the funding shift in what promises to be a challenging task.

"Implementing these revisions is a complex process. We're going to have a lot of decisions regarding all of the stakeholders. We have to make tough decisions," Benson said. But, she added, "The judiciary is the, third branch of the government, and we have an obligation to do this right, so we'll get it done....

"A working judiciary is essential to the functioning of our government, and I am committed to making sure it works."

In appointing Benson to lead the committee, House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, R-Plant City, said, "Rep. Benson is one of the most distinguished members of the House and has the perfect educational and professional background to implement Revision 7 to Article V. I have convened this select committee to develop a plan that will help Florida achieve its goal of a court system that will be the model for the rest of the nation. Holly Benson is exactly the right person for this job."

Justice system officials have a daunting task this year, presenting budget requests to House and Senate appropriations panels in a year when the state budget deficit is expected to be between $1 and $4 billion...