A significant financial crisis is looming for New York state courts and those who use the courts to resolve their legal problems. This crisis will be greatly compounded because of the current hardship arising out of the COVID-19 crisis, unless some kind of urgent action is taken.

Now that the Legislature has reconvened and Gov. Andrew Cuomo has issued warnings that the state budget will have to be cut unless federal funding is made available, it is time to consider the effect such budget cuts will have on the operation of the courts.