It’s been a long time since we’ve seen increases in the state budget, so it’s a welcome sight to see a few even if they are modest and might not survive the legislature. Some of the increases that have been included in the Governor’s budget that could affect those in the justice system are:
Courts *Essential Court Services – $6 million is appropriated to address essential court services, but this is only a portion of what Justice Mark Martin requested. More will certainly be needed for the technology/ data system infrastructure *Business Courts – Funding for Business Courts will be expanded.
*Indigent Defense System – $5.7 million over two years is allocated to clear the long-standing problem of the Indigent Defense Services backlog.
Department of Justice *Crime lab backlogs – $1.5 million over 2 years will help address the crime lab backlog, but this is partially achieved by a 2% reduction in agency funds.
Public Safety *Improve Mental Health Services – Important gains are anticipated in mental health services – see the following article for details. $13.4 million will be allocated over two years to improve mental health in 8 high security prisons. This is an important positive step.
Correctional Officer Salary Increases – Salary levels have not been increased since the 80s and will increase by $20.7 million over two years.
*Electronic monitoring – $6.693 million over two years for to supervise the post-release supervision population. While the population itself is not growing, the number of those supervised is expected to increase from 3,487 to 5,840 in 2016 and 7,414 in 2017. Community-based services are also needed for this population but no increase is included in the Governor’s budget.
Department of Human Services – $82 million will be allocated to mental health needs including:
*New Broughton Hospital – $16.5 million *Community Mental Health – $15.5 million over 2 years
*Crisis services – $10 million for local crisis beds
*TASC – Expansion of TASC (Treatment Accountability for Safer Communities) – 1.86 million each year
* Medicaid reserves. This will continue to be a major topic and is viewed as the primary “budget driver.”
*IT Needs – Due to the debacles with NC FAST and TRACS, significant funds will be shoring up the IT systems.
Housing – Provides a $19 million increase for Housing Finance to leverage $20 million in matching Federal funds and allow local governments to serve 340 additional households. This will include $1 million to the Housing Trust fund for low income housing units.
*Military and Veterans’ Affairs Department – This new department will be created if the legislature approves. Funding for Veterans’ Treatment Courts will flow through it on funds that appear to be Federal or non-state dollars.
Click Here to see Gov. McCrory’s budget document.
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