Message From Clerk Bock
CITIZENS TO SUFFER FROM PROPOSED CUTS
Action needed NOW!
Last year, you stood by my office as we suffered a $7.1 million legislative budget cut and laid off more than 100 employees. Since then, you have continued to support and be patient with us, even though our ability to serve you promptly and efficiently has been severely diminished.
We have been informed that Thursday, March 25, or Friday, March 26, your state senators will discuss whether my office will face additional devastating cuts that would further erode our ability to provide essential services to our customers.
Every clerk service would be impacted and every citizen affected. It would mean even longer lines to pay traffic tickets or file a document, backlogged new cases, hearing delays and holdups in foreclosure processing.
YOUR ACTION IS NEEDED TODAY to prevent further delays in the delivery of civil and criminal justice in Palm Beach County. Below is sample text for a phone call or e-mail to your state senator.
Background
Senate President Jeff Atwater, from Palm Beach County’s legislative delegation, has turned over all budget responsibility to Senator J.D. Alexander from Lake Wales, who holds tremendous power in the budget decision making process.
We learned late last night that Alexander plans to cut clerk budgets AGAIN.
Impact of Additional Cuts
Our office’s budget could be cut by an estimated $2 to $3 million and we could lose up to 100 more employees. This would directly impact every citizen in Palm Beach County.
Action
This issue will be discussed in a meeting of the Senate Ways and Means Committee THURSDAY, MARCH 25, OR FRIDAY, March 26.
Please tell your senator that further cuts to the clerk’s office are unacceptable.
* Senators on Ways and Means Committee who will discuss this tomorrow or Friday.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Florida’s Clerks and Judges both support House Bill 5401, which does not include any reference to cutting clerk budgets. Legislators in the House have painstakingly negotiated for what is included in HB 5401. Because of this, we believe senators should honor the House bill.
Your influence and vote are desperately needed to stop severe budget cuts that will result in the complete degradation of your clerk’s office. Without adequate funding, we will not be able to operate. Our senators need to hear from their constituents!
Thank you for your support.
Best regards,
Sharon
SAMPLE PHONE SCRIPT / E-MAIL TEXT
It is my understanding that Sen. J.D. Alexander plans to cut the budgets of Florida’s Clerks of Court and will be discussing this in a meeting of the Senate Ways and Means Committee either Thursday, March 25th or Friday, March 26th.
The Palm Beach County Clerk’s office already lost $7.1 million and 101 employees to legislative budget cuts last year. Now they may face additional cuts of approximately $2 to $3 million, which would result in up to 100 more layoffs.
As a (lawyer, business person, other profession), I can tell you that last year’s cut was so deep that further cuts would prevent the Clerk & Comptroller’s office from carrying out its duties and providing essential service to your constituents.
I implore you support the language in House Bill 5401 and to VOTE NO on any clerk budget cut that comes before you in a committee. If it comes before you on the Senate floor, please offer an amendment to strike the language.
This is of the utmost importance to me, a taxpayer and voter, and to all of your other constituents for whom criminal and civil justice and access to the courts would be delayed.
Your support is essential to protect the people you represent.
Thank you.
[your name here, address, zip]