The North Carolina House has proposed budget cuts that include more than $170 million from public safety agencies. Part of that spending plan would eliminate nearly 400 jobs from the court system. Officials say services like drug courts and family courts would have to make significant cutbacks. John Smith is the director of the state Administrative Office of the Courts.
John Smith: "We were prepared to reduce our positions by as many as 200 positions and felt that we could continue to provide the services. This will be double that."
Smith says about 90 percent of the court system's funds go toward paying salaries. Courts would have to do without nearly $40 million if lawmakers enact the current proposal. The General Assembly has until July 1 to finalize the budget.