Toal says cuts straining courts

COLUMBIA — South Carolina Chief Justice Jean Toal said Tuesday the state's court system is at the end of its rope with budget cuts as she called on House budget writers to spare the third branch of state government from deeper cuts.

The recession and sagging tax collections have taken $1 billion from state agency budgets since July, and budget writers have told agencies to come up with plans for more.

Toal said she'd have to rely more on fines and fees to pay salaries and other expenses for the $60 million court system's budget.

"We're about at the end of our rope," Toal said. "We are not a large financial part of the picture. But we're the third branch of government and we're a huge part of the safety and security of South Carolina citizens."

Toal is continuing to cut spending. Tuesday she sent letters to judges telling them to restrict travel. She's done the same with court reporters and law clerks.

"I have announced this week that the judges' office allowance will be cut in half," Toal said.

So far, a hiring freeze has headed off court furloughs.

Meanwhile, Toal's branch of government now relies on fees and fines more and more to operate.

When Toal took over as chief justice in the 2001 fiscal year, the $46.6 million budget depended only on $66,575 in fees and fines. Toal said she's scrambling to operate the court system now with $15 million in fines and fees and $5.5 million in federal grants.