Big cuts proposed for state courts, law enforcement, prisons

A few of the ideas rolled out Monday for slashing the state budget for courts, law enforcement and prisons brought stunned looks from some legislators and agency heads.

Members of the Executive Offices & Criminal Justice Subcommittee were reminded repeatedly that these were only proposals meant to spark discussion about spending cuts. However, it was clear that the state must make dramatic changes and that means, among other things, that state workers will lose jobs, crime prevention programs will be pruned and plans to add more prison beds will be delayed.

Senate President Michael Waddoups, R-Taylorsville, praised fiscal analysts for taking on the unpleasant task of creating the list and invited agency heads and the public to offer ideas to handle Utah's fiscal crisis.

However, some subcommittee members questioned whether certain proposals would end up costing the state more in the future, especially if there are weakened efforts to straighten out delinquent juveniles, provide treatment for drug offenders and help prisoners adjust to moving back into society.

Among the proposals and their expected savings for fiscal year 2010:

• Get rid of 42 Utah Highway Patrol positions ($3.7 million).

• Slice 36 attorneys and support staff from the Utah Attorney General's Office ($4.4 million).

• Shut down four juvenile offender receiving centers that provide short-term housing ($4 million).

• Double-bunk some juvenile offenders in state custody ($4.9 million).

• Eliminate the Drug Offender Reform Act intended to help parolees with substance abuse problems ($3.2 million).

• Cancel a private contract for a parole violator center ($7.6 million).

• Close the Bountiful and Roosevelt courthouses ($425,600 and $35,000, respectively).

The Administrative Office of the Courts stood to take the biggest hit — a proposed $16.5 million spending reduction, which includes eliminating 283 jobs.

Daniel Becker, executive director for the office of the courts, said closing the two courthouses could pose difficulties. All employees at the Bountiful courthouse could be moved to Farmington or Layton, but problems could arise with Bountiful because it relies on the state to pay half the cost of a bond for the building.

"We're not recommending closing the Roosevelt courthouse," he said. "The cost of moving the Roosevelt courthouse to Duchesne would negate the savings."

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