Chief Justice Proposes Fixed Funding Formula as Judiciary Owes Nearly $2.93 Million to Vendors

ST. THOMAS — Chief Justice Rhys Hodge used his final budget presentation before retiring at the end of 2026 to urge lawmakers to guarantee the Judicial Branch a fixed percentage of the General Fund, arguing that the current process has consistently underfunded the courts and left the Judiciary struggling to pay vendors, complete capital projects and absorb the costs of newly appointed justices. Appearing Thursday before the Senate Committee on Budget, Appropriations, and Finance, Chief Justice Hodge recommended that “at least 5%” of the General Fund be allocated to the Judiciary. Such a formula, he said, would ensure the courts receive a “proportional share of funding both when the economy is strong and equally so when it is weak.” Based on the proposed fiscal year 2027 General Fund budget of $958.2 million, a 5 percent allocation would establish a $47,910,000 budget ceiling for the Judicial Branch, the chief justice said. He later told lawmakers that the ideal allocation would be 5....