Vol. 37, Number 3 —March 2005

White House Includes Limited Courthouse Funding

The White House has included a funding request for just two courthouse construction projects and three repair and alterations projects in its fiscal year 2006 budget, consistent with the request of the Judicial Conference.

"We're in the first year of a two-year moratorium on federal courthouse construction that affects 42 projects," said Judge Jane Roth, chair of the Judicial Conference Committee on Security and Facilities. "Our construction program is on hold because the Judiciary needs to reduce the rate of growth in rental expenses in future years."

The federal Judiciary has a long list of courthouse projects, a five-year courthouse project plan prioritized by security concerns and operational problems. These projects will be delayed while the Judiciary re-evaluates how courts can satisfy their space needs while controlling escalating rental costs.

The current constrained budget environment prompted the moratorium. The Judiciary pays the General Services Administration about $900 million annually in rent, or about 22 percent of the Judiciary's budget. If the Judiciary is to stretch a shrinking budget, it must find ways to reduce its rent bill.

The courthouse construction projects in San Diego, California and Austin, Texas have the White House nod, as do repair and alterations projects in the James A. Walsh Courthouse in Tucson, Arizona; the Brooklyn, New York, Emanuel Celler Courthouse; and the James Watson Federal Building and Courthouse in New York City.

Although 42 projects are on hold during the moratorium, 11 projects currently in the design stage will continue. It is uncertain when construction funding will be sought for these projects.