TaxWatch calls court funding a high priority: insufficient funding would be bad for business.

It will take $140 million this year for Florida to adequately fund its court system as it carries out Revision 7 to Art. V, according to Florida TaxWatch, a government watchdog group.

Florida TaxWatch also suggested cost savings, innovations, and productivity improvements it says are worth $30 million, as well as six non-tax revenue raising measures for the courts.

"Implementing the [state's] new fiscal responsibilities--which have been the province of counties for decades, partly by state default--is a legislative priority of the highest order," said TaxWatch, which for 25 years has worked to improve taxpayer value, citizen understanding, and government accountability. "At risk is the erosion of fundamental freedoms that we as Americans are guaranteed."

TaxWatch recently completed a $100,000 independent study of the court system's funding needs that comes as the legislature approaches a July 1 deadline to take over the lion's share of trial court funding. The Florida Bar in October appropriated $25,000 to help fund the project.

The report said the state courts plays a critical role in maintaining the rule of law and a healthy business climate "where impartial, timely, and peaceful resolution of disputes serves to enhance the predictability of businesses and the health of our economy."

The TaxWatch report said its examination carefully regards the original intention of a unified state courts system--to bring equal justice to all Floridians, in every county of the state--to be of paramount importance.

"We Floridians now stand at a crossroads as we fully implement Revision 7," the report said. "The implications of removing or limiting essential functions of our court system have the potential to wreak havoc on the freedoms both individuals and businesses of this great state and nation enjoy."

Adequate Funding

Florida TaxWatch recommends Revision 7 funding of $140 million for 2004-05. The state courts system has requested $170.6 million, and the governor's budget recommends $104.4 million.

TaxWatch said it reached the $140 million figure after analyzing seven funding issues where levels requested by the courts and governor "were significantly different or of such major importance as to warrant special attention," including:

* Masters/Hearing Officers: $24 million. The state courts' $24 million request to fund 237 masters and hearing officer positions is for the purpose of creating an equitable level of service in all 67 counties. By contrast, the governor's recommended budget funds only hearing officer/special master...