ALBANY – The judiciary’s quest for its first budget hike in more than five years has elicited, if not an outright endorsement, at least empathy and preliminary support from two key lawmakers and other important constituencies.

Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, D-Brooklyn, the longtime chairwoman of the lower chamber’s Judiciary Committee, said that even with the requested 2.5 percent increase the court system wouldn’t have enough money to do all that it should.