(Statehouse) – State lawmakers approved a bill last week that would eliminate judgeships in 11 mostly rural counties, including some close by.
The Senate passed the measure 33-16, which sends it back to the House for consideration.
House Bill 1144 originally added judicial positions in Elkhart, Hamilton, Lawrence and Vigo counties.
But Senators amended the legislation, just before a key deadline, to cut one court each in Jennings and Rush counties plus nine others – Blackford, Carroll, Gibson, Greene, Monroe, Newton, Owen, Pulaski, and Scott counties.
It also removes six juvenile magistrate positions in Marion County.
Local State Sen. Jean Leising (R-Oldenburg), whose district includes two of the counties (Jennings and Rush) with judgeships on the potential chopping block, says her constituents were shocked by the move.
“I know there’re others that wish maybe counties would have been named instead of waiting until the final day for the final meeting in appropriations to actually make that list. So, that’s created quite a frenzy,” Leising said.
Supporters say the move will save nearly $750-thousand in 2027, and up to two-and-three-quarter-million by 2032.
(Story by our newsgathering partners at Indiana News Service)
