We are extremely pleased and grateful that the Senate Ways & Means Committee FY 16 budget recommendation significantly improves the level of funding proposed for the judiciary to maintain the operations of the courts. The Senate bill includes critical funding for both specialty courts and the HOPE/MORR recidivism reduction program. We express our sincere thanks to the Committee, Chairwoman Spilka, and Senate President Stanley Rosenberg for their commitment to the judiciary. We understand the extraordinary challenges faced by the Legislature during this difficult budgetary time and deeply appreciate the attention being paid to the critical funding needed for the safe and effective delivery of justice in the Commonwealth. We will work closely with House and Senate leaders as the bills move through the Legislature, and appreciate their hard work in helping us to achieve the organizational and staffing stability necessary for the delivery of justice.