Justice in Jeopardy Implementation

April 3, 2008

Justice In Jeopardy Implementation Committee
AOC Conference Room
SeaTac Office Center
April 3, 2008
Meeting Minutes

Members present:
Chief Justice Gerry Alexander, co-chair; Judge Deborah Fleck, co-chair; Mr. Wayne Blair, vice chair; Mr. Michael Merringer; Judge Wm. Thomas McPhee; Judge Vickie Churchill; Judge Christine Quinn-Brintnall; Ms. Joanne Moore, Ms. Yvonne Pettus, Mr. Scott Smith, Judge Sara Derr; Judge Stephen Shelton; Judge Karen Seinfeld; Ms. Sophia Byrd-McSherry; Mr. John Cary; Judge Eileen Kato; Mr. Jim Bamberger; Mr. Russell Aoki.

Guests present:
Dr. Chang Mook Sohn; Mr. Cesar Torres, NJP; Ms. Nell McNamara, NJP; and Ms. Gail Stone.

Staff present:
Mr. Jeff Hall; Mr. Ramsey Radwan; Ms. Mellani McAleenan; Ms. Judy Cryderman; Ms. Karen Castillo.

Call to Order:
The meeting was called to order by Judge Deborah Fleck.

Approval of Minutes:
Chief Justice Alexander asked that the minutes of the February 7, 2008 meeting be approved. Judge Churchill moved that the minutes be approved as written. The motion was seconded and the minutes were approved.

Welcome & Introductions:
Chief Justice Alexander asked that Judge Fleck provide a brief history relevant to the purpose of the Justice in Jeopardy Committee. Judge Fleck provided the history of the development of the JIJIC, adding that the 2005, 2006 and 2007 sessions have had significant achievement, but there is still much to do. Mr. Blair added that the Civil Equal Justice and the Blue Ribbon Panel on Indigent Defense were also active at the same time as the JIJIC; all had coordinated their efforts to avoid competing in Olympia. Mr. Hall remarked that this year the JIJIC focus will be on coordination, communication, and collaboration, particularly focused on being a “think tank” to inform the effort on the ground in Olympia, and refocusing on the strategic plan.

State Revenue Forecast:
Chief Justice Alexander introduced Dr. Chang Mook Sohn, the former director of the State Economic Revenue Forecast Council.

Dr. Sohn provided an in-depth analysis of the February 2008 Revenue Forecast and explained the process used to develop the forecast and how the Legislature uses that information. Dr. Sohn also provided his insights regarding the economic future for Washington State.

Dr. Sohn provided detail on the information that was provided in the February 2008 Revenue Forecast, which projected that revenues will be $433 million less than was announced in September. A major difference is the housing and real estate market. In September, the number of housing transactions declined, but not the values. The decline in the number of transactions is not unusual; however, the February data also shows a continuing decline in terms of value. In the past, real estate excise tax was a minor revenue item, but it became a major revenue source in the past four years and the main reason for the strong revenue increases. Of the $433 million projected revenues reduction, more than 50 percent of that is real estate revenues declining.

Dr. Sohn said he anticipates unemployment to rise to 5.3 percent this year and 5.6 percent in 2009. He said he expects to see the bottoming in the housing market in the third quarter, where it should continue through the next year. Job market growth is expected to be 1.2 percent in 2008 and 1.4 percent in 2009. 2010-11 will be higher at 1.9 percent, though still not very strong.

In the next biennium, the Council is expecting about 8.3 percent biennium-to-biennium growth in state revenues, which, after double-digit increases in previous biennia, is below average, Dr. Sohn said. He cautioned that much depends on how closely they correctly assume the economic factors that affect the revenues, such as the housing market.

Judicial Branch Budget Process:
Mr. Hall provided an overview and reported on dates pertinent to the budget process.

May 1: Preliminary Budget Submission Due AOC

May 9: Supreme Court Budget Committee Review

June 5: Supreme Court En Banc Review

July 21: Detailed Decision Packages Due AOC

Sept. 4: Supreme Court Budget Committee Final Review

Oct. 3: Supreme Court En Banc Final Approval & Submission to Legislature

Environmental Scan:
Ms. Joanne Moore led a discussion on changes in the legislature. The list of legislators who are retiring this year was reviewed. It was noted that, significantly, both Rep. Lantz and Rep. Sommers are retiring and that they have been very supportive of the JIJ issues. All House members are up for re-election this year.

Ms. Moore advised that the committee will have to get creative to stand above the fray of groups who will be seeking appropriations next year. The committee will need to get out there earlier, talking to legislators about the objectives of the JIJ effort.

Chief Justice Alexander remarked that this underscores the importance of being unified.

Communication Strategy Development:
Mr. Bamberger stated that talking about the Environmental Scanner requires JIJIC to be aware of what’s going on in the Legislature and to be more affirmative in cultivating and communicating with legislators. This is all about strategic positioning as best we can. The budget process will help a lot in that respect because it will translate into higher communication with the executive and legislative branches. Mr. Bamberger noted that he and his colleagues have been meeting to discuss how to begin short- and long-term messaging to educate the public about the justice system, and to be positioned so that there are strategic messages about who we are, what we do and what we want and how we relate to other groups.

There was a consensus that the committee needs to be more specific on the communications strategy.

It was noted that, after hearing Dr. Sohn’s glowing report on the next biennium revenues, the committee should also hear about projected state expenditures.

Judge Fleck indicated that she would like to see a one-page document prepared that would describe the local and state funding secured to date under Justice In Jeopardy.

Next Meeting Date:
The next meeting is scheduled for June 12^th at 1:30 pm.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:23 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Karen Castillo