House Journal: Page 58: Wednesday, January 10, 1996

I wholeheartedly support further use of technology! My
technology of comfort is a sharp, number two, Ticonderoga
pencil.  It's user-friendly, low maintenance, and it's not
smarter than I am.  But times are changing and we all must
change with it.

I'm delighted to note that a majority of Iowans favor the use of
technology in the courts.  'in response to a new survey
conducted for our Commission on Planning for the Twenty-first
Century, a majority polled thought that increasing the use of
computer and communications technology in court operations is a
good idea.

Today, we've set up a court technology exhibit in the hall
outside our courtroom downstairs to showcase some of our
innovative programs.  Please come down after these remarks, join
us for coffee, and look through our display.

We're making significant progress in the area of planning for
the future ' re.  As that wise baseball sage, Yogi Berra,
pointed out, "Me future isn't what it used to be."

We are eagerly awaiting the report of our Planning Commission,
which is chaired by Justice Linda Neuman.  Never before have the
Iowa courts conducted a comprehensive, long-range planning
effort of this magnitude.  Since last May, sixty hardworking
Iowans from all walks of life have devoted substantial time to
this project.  They have been closely examining our court system
and studying changes which will help us meet the needs of Iowans
in the Twenty-first Century.  Thank you in advance for the
financial support your leadership has pledged for this study.

The Planning Commission is scheduled to complete its work and
report to the Supreme Court by June.  A year from now, we hope
to provide you with a full complement of legislative proposals
which will help prepare our courts for the future.   I am
confident that together we can shape a justice system that will
continue, even in the face of tremendous changes in society, to
administer the highest levels of justice.

Now, I'd like to journey back a bit.

Last year in my State of the Judiciary message, I reported that
the courts were struggling under the weight of a crushing
caseload.  Case filings in all categories were at record levels.
 I talked with you about our most troubling cases, juvenile,
domestic abuse and criminal, which were consuming most of our
court resources.  We faced the strong possibility that all of
our resources would eventually be used for criminal matters at
the expense of civil cases.  More resources, particularly more
judges, were needed to help us confront this crisis.

Thank you, for your generous response.  The additional resources
you provided, although not our full request, have somewhat eased
the pressure.

It would be easy for us to respond to this help by leaning back,
and breathing a sigh of relief.  But that would be a mistake
because the problems I described last year are still very much
with us.

Iowa General Assembly

Index: House Journal (76th General Assembly: Session 2)

© 1996 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

Comments? hjourn@legis.iowa.gov.

Last update: Mon Jan 15 12:25:00 CST 1996
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