TALLAHASSEE -- Gov. Rick Scott approved a $45.6 million loan to patch a budget hole in the state court system on Tuesday, allowing judges time to scramble for a more permanent funding solution.

State courts receive their money from a trust fund supported mostly by mortgage foreclosure fees. But those fees have fallen off dramatically because of a moratorium on foreclosure filings by lenders.

The loan allows the courts to maintain their operations through March without furloughs or disruptions in services.

"We have a budget, (and) we're spending within that budget," said courts administrator Lisa Goodner. "This is very much a temporary solution."

It is the courts' second infusion of cash for the 2011-12 fiscal year. The Legislature appropriated $437 million for the courts based on projections for filing fees, but September estimates knocked that to $272 million, creating a $108 million shortfall.

Filed Under : Corrections & Criminal Justice