Some of New Mexico's top judges are trying to make a case for more court funding.
Albuquerque television station KOB-TV reports (http://bit.ly/RSIsCS) that judges came from across New Mexico on Tuesday to testify before the Legislative Finance Committee in Santa Fe.
The downturn in the economy has meant leaner government budgets and the courts are among affected. The judges are pushing for about a 3 percent increase in funding for the next budget year.
The presiding judge of Albuquerque's Metropolitan Court, Judith Nakamura, says the cuts the judicial branch have experienced are catching up. She points to a lack of staff, judges, resources, building maintenance and even higher utility costs.
Judge Sarah Backus of the 8th Judicial District in Taos says there are also security issues at many courthouses that need to be addressed.