Dear Members and Others:
Alliance director Judge David Lampe addressed the Judicial Council on April 24, 2012, expressing support for the recommendation of the Court Facilities Working Group, chaired by Justice Brad Hill, to reassess court construction projects. Judge Lampe further requested that the Council adopt an immediate temporary suspension of all construction contracting and projects until the budget picture becomes more clear, pointing out that state revenue will likely be lower than projected. In his words:
“We need to see the May Revise. Our discussions in Sacramento have made it apparent that the Legislature may authorize that some portion of construction funds be used to mitigate the devastation in our operating budgets. We recognize the need for secure, well-maintained facilities and do not minimize the state of disrepair in many state courthouses. However, at this time we must preserve maximum flexibility. We should not encumber or commit funds now without knowing the total budget.”
Judge Lampe also proposed that the Council order an independent investigation and review of court construction costs. Lampe stated that this would be an added cost, but that Justice Hill’s committee would benefit from an independent review and report. Lampe pointed out that mistakes were made with the CCMS project, including the lack of an early cost-benefit analysis, leading to an excoriating report by the State Auditor. Independent review of construction projects now, during the pause of reassessment, would help reassure all concerned that we are doing everything possible to maximize scarce public resources.
At the meeting, Justice Johnson articulated the stated objectives of the Cost Reduction Committee, which he chairs: (1) Determine if planned courthouses are needed, (2) Determine whether planned courtroom numbers are necessary in those currently planned court construction projects, (3) Review whether more cost-effective leasing options are available, (4) Ensure that those court construction projects being built are done so as efficiently and financially responsibly as possible, and (5) Review possible renovation options that would be more fiscally responsible. Justice Johnson stated he was confident that cost reductions could be implemented without impinging on security, access, or quality of construction.
The mere fact that significant savings may be accomplished without impairing access, security or quality demonstrates how irresponsible the AOC has been in its management of court construction. We find it remarkable that any court construction project was ever planned or completed without these goals in mind. As with the CCMS project, the cavalier approach to expenditure of taxpayer money on court construction is a symptom of the greater problem: the AOC has been allowed to operate as if it runs the courts, and the Judicial Council has so far been unable or unwilling to rein in its growth or demand accountability in its operations.
Until trial court judges have a voice in the selection of members of the Judicial Council, and until the AOC is greatly reduced in size, we can only expect more of the same: superficial changes in operations and empty promises of greater accountability, while trial courts layoff and furlough staff as courthouses close and the public’s access to the courts is further impaired. We remain committed to avoiding that result by continuing to press for a complete delivery of trial court funds to the trial courts and a greatly reduced role of the AOC in the business of court operations. We thank you for your support in those efforts.
Sincerely,
Directors, Alliance of California Judges
Michael Paul
April 25, 2012
Assume the worst. When the AOC is steering a certain type of all work to unlicensed preferred vendors – who in turn are steering the work to other unlicensed vendors at obscene costs, someone is collecting big, fat kickbacks or free remodeling jobs.
But since those that were in charge were collecting those kickbacks, the ACJ’s call will fall on deaf ears. They already expanded – not reduced – the authority of those who abused the public trust this week. That was a mistake.
unionman575
April 26, 2012
I always assume the worst too Michael.
Res Ipsa Loquitor
April 26, 2012
Unionman, that reminds me — have you heard any follow up on the inquiry into some landscaping and kitchen remodeling in Contra Costa County? It seems awfully quiet and the Homeowner is back at work. Thanks.
Wendy Darling
April 26, 2012
Not only is the “Homeowner” back at work, Res Ipsa, he never actually left. He just resigned his title, and moved down to the 4th floor with his quarter million dollar a year salary. Vickrey hasn’t let either. They only left in theory, but not in practice. Just another lie to tell people to make things look good. As your non de plume indicates, the thing speaks for itself. No one ever gets held accountable for anything at 455 Golden Gate Avenue,
Recall the Chief Justice.
Long live the ACJ.
JusticeCalifornia
April 25, 2012
“Justice Hill advised in his report that his committee has retained an independent consultant and will obtain independent review of all projects and practices. The Alliance proposes that the AOC request that this consultation be made under the auspices of the Bureau of State Audits to ensure its objectivity.”
Yep. If the AOC is confident the project and practices have passed and will pass muster, why go for someone who will be considered suspect? Bring in the BSA.
unionman575
April 26, 2012
Yes bring in the BSA now.
Wendy Darling
April 25, 2012
As usual, the ACJ gets it and sees both the big and little pictures clearly. The need for independent review by the BSA is obvious to everyone, except, of course, the Office of the Chief Justice, the Judicial Council, and especially the AOC.
If there’s nothing to hide, then why hide anything? Especially when it’s public money that is involved.
Recall the Chief Jusitice.
Long live the ACJ.
unionman575
April 26, 2012
Recall the Chief Jusitice.
https://recalltani.wordpress.com/
Dan Dydzak
April 26, 2012
In my pending lawsuit in Orange County Superior Court, DYDZAK V. DUNN, in my soon-to-be filed First Amended Complaint, I am asking for declaratory relief, inter alia, that the Court order return of the converted AOC funds to the Legislature, the individual courts or the Controller of the State of California and requesting there be an independent audit by a reputable accountant or receiver re same. Said relief will be requested against many defendants such as the California Supreme Court, Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye and Messrs. Vickrey and Overholt. Questions regarding kickbacks and illicit monies to non-accredited contstruction gurus will be addressed.
unionman575
April 26, 2012
https://judicialcouncilwatcher.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/3-28-12-dydzak-v-dunn-complaint.pdf
Been There
April 26, 2012
Isn’t the first named defendant in Mr. Dydzak’s complaint on the short list of potential successors to Bill Vickrey? Oy vey!
unionman575
April 26, 2012
No Res.
unionman575
April 26, 2012
I like this one as a Union Man…
This one’s for you Tani!
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_2351-2400/ab_2381_bill_20120416_status.html
CURRENT BILL STATUS
MEASURE : A.B. No. 2381
AUTHOR(S) : Roger Hernández.
TOPIC : Judicial Council: employer-employee relations.
HOUSE LOCATION : ASM
+LAST AMENDED DATE : 04/12/2012
TYPE OF BILL :
Active
Non-Urgency
Non-Appropriations
Majority Vote Required
Non-State-Mandated Local Program
Fiscal
Non-Tax Levy
LAST HIST. ACT. DATE: 04/16/2012
LAST HIST. ACTION : Re-referred to Com. on P.E., R. & S.S.
COMM. LOCATION : ASM PUBLIC EMPLOYEES, RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL SECURITY
HEARING DATE : 04/26/2012
TITLE : An act to add Article 1.5 (commencing with Section
68530) to Chapter 2 of Title 8 of the Government Code,
relating to the Judicial Council.
Wendy Darling
April 26, 2012
Published today, Thursday, April 26, from The Recorder, the on-line publication of CalLaw, by Cheryl Miller:
Committee OKs Bill to Let AOC Workers Unionize
Cheryl Miller
SACRAMENTO — A bill that would allow state Administrative Office of the Courts workers to unionize cleared its first committee review in a matter of minutes Thursday without a word of opposition.
Full article is subscription access only: http://www.law.com/jsp/ca/PubArticleCA.jsp?id=1202550436799&Committee_OKs_Bill_to_Let_AOC_Workers_Unionize&slreturn=1
Recall the Chief Justice.
Long live the ACJ.
unionman575
April 27, 2012
Does Tani actually believe this?….
“And I’ll tell you … we were never over revenue,” she said. “… We never had money to spare. We’ve used our resources wisely to be responsive to the public.”
http://www.dailydemocrat.com/news/ci_20491745/california-chief-justice-cantil-sakauye-talks-about-importance
California Chief Justice Cantil-Sakauye talks about importance of courts, budget
By KATHERINE JARVIS
Created: 04/26/2012 10:19:04 PM PDT
When a courthouse closes, it’s silent. California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye emphasized that point during her discussion at the Yolo County Bar Association’s Law Day Thursday.
“When I think of Law Day, the first thing I think about is how essential law is to all our lives in every aspect and how much we take it for granted,” she said at the Woodland Community & Senior Center.
Cantil-Sakauye later added closing courts takes away the public’s opportunity to justice, which related to the Law Day’s theme of “no courts, no justice, no freedom.”
The greatest challenge in her 16 months on the bench has been “the lack of knowledge and appreciation of what lawyers do for the public and what courts provide for the public” in enforcing one’s legal rights, she said. Cantil-Sakauye was appointed to chief justice at the end of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s term.
Budget cuts at the state level have closed some courtrooms in other counties while also affecting how long courts are open and what services can be provided. While no courtrooms were closed in Yolo County, the hours have been reduced at the civil and criminal public windows.
“The budget crisis for the courts has not been worse in the history of the state,” Cantil-Sakauye said.
A total of $1.1 billion has been taken from the state’s Judicial Branch, including from the general fund. Of the general fund “pie,” the Judicial Branch is “a tiny, tiny sliver” of 2.4 percent, “yet we’ve been cut 24 percent in the last four years,” she said.
The general fund could have helped the Judicial Branch heal itself, Cantil-Sakauye said.
“And I’ll tell you … we were never over revenue,” she said. “… We never had money to spare. We’ve used our resources wisely to be responsive to the public.”
This includes courthouse construction, such as Yolo County’s 163,000-square-foot courthouse that is scheduled for completion in late 2014 or early 2015.
The funds to build the courthouse, to be located on Main Street, are from fines and fees, not from the general fund.
While some courthouse projects were postponed or funding reduced, the Woodland courthouse was a top-seven priority of 41 projects throughout the state and didn’t see a cut to its $167.4 million cost as a result.
“We have been very wise stewards of that money, in my opinion,” Cantil-Sakauye said.
While cuts have continued the past four years, California’s population keeps growing, now at 38 million people. But the courts have no control over growing caseloads with 10 million filings and record filings in the State Supreme Court, Cantil-Sakauye said.
She discussed growth in Southern California’s Inland Empire and how there are not enough judges for the population. In Yolo County, there is supposed to an 11th judge but the funding is not there.
“In the fourth year, we no longer say we’re cut to the bone,” she said. “We’re now saying we’re in the marrow because we have exhausted our ability to buffer the cuts of the fourth year by handling the cuts in the first and in the third year. And yet at the same time, nothing has been done to fund costs for growth.”
Follow Katherine Jarvis at twitter.com/katherinejarvis
wearyant
April 27, 2012
The definition of hubris:
“’We have been very wise stewards of that money, in my opinion,’ Cantil-Sakauye said.”
unionman575
April 27, 2012
More than 500 mil down the drain on CCMS alone.
Billions more on inflated construction project costs…
I don’t think you spent money wisely Tani.
JusticeCalifornia
April 27, 2012
Nope, RG and Team George — including his handpicked gambling barmaid, have engineered and perpetuated the branch budget downfall/disaster, and as we all know, they didn’t spend money wisely. Sakauye cannot claim she didn’t know, because she auditioned for her current part by telling the TV cameras that the JC vets everything.
Wendy Darling
April 27, 2012
Farewell and good riddance to Ernesto/Bluto “I used to work at RTD” Fuentes of the AOC’s corrupt HR Division. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out, and may you still end up under indictment and in metal bracelets in the not too distant future.
Long live the ACJ.
Been There
April 27, 2012
Wendy, what is the story with his departure? Retirement? New job in some third world police state. “Heat in the kitchen?”
JusticeCalifornia
April 27, 2012
Do tell, Wendy. A lot of us have been waiting for this.
Did his payola pension finally kick in?
Guess
April 27, 2012
It’s just power grab by Curt. Now he’s head of HR.
Stuart Michael
April 30, 2012
OMG
Bluto out and Darth in charge
“Human Resources” now stands for “Hell Revisited”
Curt will make Ernesto look like Mother Teresa
Which “loyal” trial court will get picked by the AOC to swallow the blimp named Ernie?
He’s unhireable by any non-court agency in the State
If the AOC doesn’t buy his silence he’ll have to take an HR job outside the country – maybe as Syria’s HR Director
courtflea
May 3, 2012
Wherever Jody Patel goes, Curt goes. This will be interesting. I agree Santa Clara or Contra Costa will hire Bluto…hey they both hired Kiri Torre!!! Or maybe by Alan Carlson in OC….don’t forget Alan worked way back at the AOC, along with the long time ago former CEO of Santa Clara (just prior to Ms. Torres tenure) the guy with the perputal tan….krikey cant recall his name, I believe Bill V brought him over from Utah, so he made a deal with him to take Kiri after her fall from favor at the AOC upon his retirement ….lot of old history here, dig deep to find it.
Been There
May 4, 2012
Flea, the man with the perpetual tan was Steve Love. After about one year he returned to Santa Clara, and, yes, the thoroughly deranged/evil Kiri Torre was hired in Santa Clara after her fall from grace with Mr. Vickrey. I do not know what happened between Kiri and Vickrey but I know her personnel policies within her division resulted on litigation and cash payouts to former employees to make the litigation go away, and more than one senior manager quit rather than do what they considered less than ethical. None of which should have bothered Vickrey.
Daniel Chavez Moran
April 8, 2013
I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought
this post was good. I don’t know who you are but certainly you’re going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!