State Courts Underfunded Despite Rising Court Fees
In Cleburne County Alabama, a speeding ticket could cost you about $20. But after the fees kick in, you could end up owing almost $300. Alabama Media Group political commentator Kyle Whitmire reports that, while the state is staunchly against new taxes, rising court fees are being used more and more to fund general government operations.
But not enough goes back into supporting and adequately funding the court system.
“In Alabama, we’ve been doing a good job of using court revenue for things that don’t have much if anything to do with courts, but we’ve been doing a pretty terrible job actually funding those same courts,” says Whitmire.
That’s according to a study by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA), commissioned by the Alabama State Bar.
Now Whitmire says the state’s budget crisis is only making the situation worse.
“We have a budget that’s proposed where the courts would actually be putting more money into the general fund than they would be getting out,” says Whitmire.
Iran’s soccer team cannot participate in the FIFA World Cup, Iranian minister says
Iran is set to play three games in the U.S. this June. But amid the U.S.-Israel military campaign that has killed Iran's supreme leader, Iran's sports minister said the team would pull out.
Pentagon probe points to U.S. missile hitting Iranian school
A military assessment suggests a U.S. Tomahawk cruise missile was responsible for at least 165 deaths at an Iranian girls' school, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly.
No Nobles Day: Britain’s Parliament boots its last hereditary Lords after 700 years
Government minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said the change put an end to "an archaic and undemocratic principle." The removed aristocrats are 92 of the House of Lords' 800 members.
How the Iran war is disrupting air travel — and advice if you’re planning a trip
The war in Iran is roiling jet fuel prices and airlines are beginning to hike prices, unsettling travelers far from the Middle East. If you're booking a flight soon, here are things to know.
ChatGPT might give you bad medical advice, studies warn
New research finds AI can point people in the wrong direction. And the quality of health information it imparts depends on how well you prompt the tools.
Greetings from a Shanghai temple where you can ward off bad luck in the Year of the Horse
According to Chinese mythology, those born in the Year of the Horse will clash with Tai Sui, a heavenly general. Luckily, there are ways to appease Tai Sui, including amulets at Shanghai's Jade Buddha Temple.
