Court sees many of its priorities met; technology funding will have to wait.

The courts received much of what they wanted from the Legislature for the 2017-18 budget, but its biggest ticket items went unfunded.

Judges will see a 10 percent pay raise--also a priority of The Florida Bar --but a broader pay package for court branch employees, intended to bring to parity with similar positions in the public and private sectors, failed. Employees instead will get an across-the-board raise approved for other state workers.

The Legislature also ignored a long list of requests for the trial courts, from technology enhancements to more case managers, law clerks, and interpreting services. Instead, following a $2.5 million reduction last year, the Legislature eliminated 39 positions in the trial courts, and, despite pay raises, cut the appropriation for salaries by $2 million.

Court administrators are expected to make up the shortfall by delays in filling vacant positions.

State agencies are authorized to pay the annual Bar membership fees and CLE costs for their employees who must be a Bar members to hold their jobs--a Bar legislative priority.

As this News went to press, the budget is awaiting submission to Gov. Rick Scott, who is unhappy the fiscal plan ignored or differed on his priorities for promoting economic development, tourism, and education. There has been speculation Scott could veto the entire budget or major parts, which would require the Legislature to have a special session. Scott might also extensively exercise his line-item veto power, which might prevent a special session.

The governor has 15 days to act once the budget reaches his desk.

None of the 12 new judgeships requested by the Supreme Court were approved, nor did lawmakers decertify six county judgeships the court said were no longer needed. The Legislature did approve the $3.4 million necessary to complete repairs and upgrades to the Third District Court of Appeal Courthouse.

Judicial pay raises had been a priority for both the Supreme Court and the Bar. Chief Justice Jorge Labarga had noted that while Florida is the third largest state, its judicial salaries rank 27th in the nation.

Pay Raises

The pay raises included judges, state attorneys, public defenders, and criminal conflict and civil regional counsels.

Here's how their pay is affected:

* Supreme Court justices--from $162,200 to $178,420.

* District court of appeal judges--from $154,140 to $169,554.

* Circuit court judges--from $146,080 to $160,688.

* County court judges--from $138,020 to...