Vermont’s judicial system is tightening its belt.
The Legislature appropriated too little money to cover negotiated pay raises, with the result that the judiciary is leaving vacant jobs unfilled for three months in hopes of making up for an $800,000 shortfall.
Court Administrator Lee Suskin says the judiciary has formed a committee to look for other ways to save money.
Finance Commissioner James Reardon says the rest of state government is feeling the pinch as well, stemming from the same problem: insufficient funds to cover employee pay raises.
But Reardon says other departments have been able to find savings without leaving jobs open.