FRANKFORT — The Kentucky General Assembly approved a judicial branch budget Wednesday that the state’s chief justice said will lead to “significant layoffs.”
The Kentucky Court of Justice is now reviewing the final budget to evaluate its impact on court operations, Chief Justice Debra Hembree Lambert said in a statement Wednesday night.
“We know we will have significant layoffs but will focus now internally on taking care of our people and the citizens we serve with as much care and dignity as possible. We are deeply disappointed but understand that it was the will of the legislature to make these decisions,” Lambert said.
Last week, Lambert warned that the Senate’s version of the budget would severely underfund court operations, potentially forcing the closure of services not constitutionally required, including drug, mental health, and veterans treatment courts.
The final budget, approved by a House-Senate conference committee, allocates $693 million over the next two years for court operations.
Earlier proposals varied, with the House initially suggesting about $657 million annually before increasing it to $687 million per year, while the Senate proposed nearly $693 million annually.
An analysis released Wednesday by the Kentucky Center for Economic Policy found that despite what it called “small” funding increases, the judicial branch still faces an overall reduction of about 7% under the agreement.
House Speaker David Osborne, R-Prospect, said he does not expect services to be cut under the approved budget and described it as sufficient.
“I don’t think you can call it a cut,” Osborne said. “We also funded additional judges raises, funded personnel raises for clerk staff.”
The General Assembly will adjourn Thursday and return to the capitol on April 14.
During the break, Gov. Andy Beshear has the authority to issue line-item vetoes on budget bills, though lawmakers can override those vetoes when they reconvene for the final two days of the 2026 legislative session.
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