June 21, 2011 > Budget plan would cripple courts Budget plan would cripple courts By Paul Elias, Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO (AP). Jun 15 - The chief justice of the California Supreme Court says the budget plan being pushed by Democrats would cripple the judicial branch. Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye (kan-TEEL SAH-kuh-OO-way) says in a statement that the proposal to cut another $150 million from the court system budget would undermine the fundamental rights of Californians. Cantil-Sakauye says the budget proposal being pushed by Democrats on Wednesday marginalizes the courts and strikes a blow against justice. California's courts were hit in March with an across-the-board $200 million budget cut. In May, Gov. Jerry Brown's finance department said another $150 million reduction, which the Democrats are proposing, likely would lead to court closures statewide twice a month.