If you’re in southeastern Minnesota, and you’ve got business at the Winona County Courthouse this (Wednesday) morning….you might as well crawl back under the covers for a few hours.
Starting today, both the phones and the counters at the courthouse will sit unmanned every Wednesday between 8:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., a consequence of budget cuts in the Third Judicial District. In fact, thanks to a projected $300,000 budget shortfall, hours will be reduced in all 11 counties of that district.
The morning closings will affect Freeborn and Houston counties on Tuesdays; Winona, Mower and Olmsted counties on Wednesdays; Fillmore, Steele, and Waseca counties on Thursdays; and Dodge and Rice counties on Fridays.
Only access to court administration services will be reduced -- court hearings and trials will go on as scheduled.
Courts have come up with a number of creative ways to deal with budget deficits, such as Hennepin County’s self-help centers. But it’s a shame when the budget blues impact the accessibility of basic court services.
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