An Examination of the Impact of Revision 7 on Governance in the Florida State Courts System

• Other Authors: Samuel, Karen H. (authoraut)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Public administration
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/FSU_2015fall_Samuel_fsu_0071E_12910

This study examines the impact of 1998 Revision 7 to Article V of the Florida Constitution (hereafter referred to as Revision 7) in shaping governance of Florida's courts system. Revision 7 shifted the major costs of funding the courts from the county level to the state level. Under our tripartite system of government, the judicial system is dependent on the legislative branch for its funding. An adequate and stable source of funding is required to govern the courts system, and essentially to execute their constitutional and statutory mandates. Since the implementation of Revision 7 in Florida, the courts system primarily depends on the Florida Legislature to determine its level of funding. Very little has been written about state courts, and specifically, state courts administration in public administration literature, so this study has something valuable to contribute to public administration, both theoretical and substantive, through the perspective and experiences of court administrators/leaders. This study is rooted in the case study tradition employed by various disciplines and asks this central question: How has Revision 7 impacted governance in Florida's courts? This study was conducted by giving voice to court insiders who experienced the governance structure of Florida's courts pre- and/or post- Revision 7. From the data derived through the interview and journaling processes, an overall picture of the experiences of the participants and the meanings that the participants construct of their experiences was drawn. Nineteen court administrators/leaders participated in the study, and the information gathered from those participants formed the basis for the overall findings of this study. Based on the results, two main themes regarding the participants' experiences emerged from the data – politics and collaboration. Court administrators/leaders need to better understand the budget process and legislative behavior, as well as need to study, embrace, and engage in the political process; and, court administrators/leaders need to stride a better balance between political and judicial forces. Conclusions based on the data were included, implications were discussed as well as recommendations for further study. === A Dissertation submitted to the Askew School of Public Administration and Policy in partial fulfillment of the Doctor of Philosophy. === Fall Semester 2015. === November 9, 2015. === BUDGET POLITICS, COURTS SYSTEM, FLORIDA COURTS, GOVERNANCE, REVISION 7 === Includes bibliographical references. === Ralph Brower, Professor Directing Dissertation; Irene Padavic, University Representative; Lance deHaven-Smith, Committee Member; William Earle Klay, Committee Member.