SJI Submits FY 2009 Budget Request to Congress
On January 24, 2008, SJI submitted its FY 2009 Budget request to the House and Senate Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittees. For FY 2009, SJI is requesting $5,389,000 to enhance its efforts to improve the quality of justice in State courts. The request is $1,629,000 above the level provided in the FY 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 110-161), and $1,611,000 below the level as authorized by the State Justice Reauthorization Act of 2004 (P.L. 108-372).
Between FY 2006 and 2007, the total amount requested in grant applications increased 41 percent. Specifically, in FY 2007, total funding requested for Project Grants was $2,771,533; an increase in funding requested of $866,533 (45 percent) over FY 2006. Furthermore, Partner Grant awards totaled $896,379 in FY 2007; a 39 percent increase over FY 2006. The demands for Technical Assistance and Curriculum Adaptation & Training Grants are increasing as well. SJI developed its FY 2009 budget taking into account these grant statistics, and anticipated increases in grant requests for FY 2008 and 2009.
SJI remains the only source of federal funding dedicated exclusively to improving the quality of justice in State courts. There is a strong interest in continuing to support the State courts, since they handle over 97 percent of all the cases in the United States. The funding requested for FY 2009 will enable SJI to continue identifying issues that impact all courts, fostering innovative solutions, and sharing information on successful approaches nationwide.
