Ky. Judicial Branch braces for impact from state budget cuts

As the impact of the two-year budget passed by the Kentucky General Assembly during this year’s session settles in, it’s looking like the Judicial Branch is bracing for tough times.

According to a letter penned by Chief Justice of the Commonwealth Debra Lambert, the Judicial Branch is anticipating a general fund deficit of up to $12.6 million in fiscal year 2027 and a possible deficit of $17 million in 2028. Thanks to public outcry about a version of the budget that would likely have resulted in the closure of the Specialty Courts—such as Drug Court, Mental Health Court and Veterans Treatment Court—Lambert was happy to report that changes were made to the legislation that will allow those courts to remain.

Unfortunately, that seems to be where the good news stops. Chief Lambert says with the spending reductions in place, changes are necessary to ensure long-term sustainability of the branch. She has directed for 107 tenured and non-tenured positions to be abolished in the Office of Statewide Programs, and individuals were subject to dismissal or lay-offs starting August 1. Forty-five employees currently serving an initial probation have until August 1 to complete their probation, or be dismissed. And 108 employee positions will be established for placement or appointment beginning on August 1, 2026, the majority of which are frontline workers.

Other operational efficiencies to be implemented including abolishing positions that have remained vacant for more than a year, eliminating the annual $1,200 account for reimbursement of justice and judge administrative positions, eliminating the paid judicial intern program, eliminating use of state funds for Specialty Courts treatment and reducing drug testing costs by capping the number of participants and/or reducing the number and frequency of drug tests and more.

Employees will receive the two percent salary increase set down in the budget.