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Lawmakers approve judicial branch budget at current level

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June 3rd, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa lawmakers have approved a budget for the state’s judicial branch that maintains the current funding level. The Iowa House and Senate on Tuesday night approved the $174.6 million budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Lawmakers in the Democratic-led Senate and the Republican-majority House agreed to the compromise legislation as part of a lengthy budget negotiation.

Democrats had originally sought more funding for judicial services. Republicans said the state could not afford more ongoing spending. Judicial Branch administrators and supporters have warned that without any new dollars, there may have to be cuts. But Sen. Tom Courtney, a Democrat from Burlington, said he expected there would be additional funding for the judicial system in another budget bill.