State Senate OKs Bill to Create 359 Judgeships

Setting aside concerns over the state’s massive budget shortage, the Senate on Thursday approved and sent to the Assembly a bill to create 359 new Superior and Municipal Court judgeships at a first-year cost of $287.2 million.

“This sends the wrong message at the wrong time,” protested Sen. Dan McCorquodale (D-San Jose).

But the measure’s author, Sen. Bill Lockyer (D-Hayward), urged that it be approved anyway. He said the bill will be amended in the Assembly and that “fiscal realities” will play an important role in shaping its final form before reaching Gov. Pete Wilson.

Lockyer contended that with or without the budget shortage, the workload of the courts rapidly increases and the bill reflects “recognition on our part of the need for new judicial positions.”

McCorquodale noted that Senate budget writers, seeking to cut government costs in light of a $12.6-billion shortfall, have identified up to $300 million they can save from the state prisons budget.