September 4, 2009
PROBATE REDISTRICTING COMMISSION
APPROVES PLAN FOR MAJOR COURT REFORM
Adopted plan will be sent to General Assembly for its approval
Connecticut's Probate Redistricting Commission voted favorably on Friday afternoon on a plan that will reduce the number of probate courts in the state from 117 to 50 in what will become one of the most significant government reforms in recent state history.
The commission's plan will be formally sent to the General Assembly, which is required by law to convene in special session later this year to consider the commission's recommendations and adopt a plan to reform the probate system.
The commission also voted Friday to attach an addendum to their proposal advising the legislature that a total of 53 districts may actually be more user-friendly and better for the citizens of Connecticut. The state statute that created the commission required the group to draw a map that reduced the number of courts to no more than 50.
"We met the letter of the law in our proposal, but after hearing all of the testimony and reading all of the letters that were sent to us around the state, we came to the realization that a 53-court plan would best serve the spirit of the law, which was to make the probate court system more efficient and less costly," said State Representative Bob Godfrey (D-Danbury), who served as chairman of the commission.
The commission suggested that the legislature and governor consider adding to the their plan additional districts in the Farmington Valley area, the greater Norwalk area, and the greater Colchester area, bringing the number to 53.
"These are regions of concern because of accessibility," Godfrey explained. "When it comes to redistricting the courts, the transportation needs of those who are using them are crucial."
The Probate Redistricting Commission, made up of 13 members who were appointed by various state leaders of both political parties, was created by the General Assembly to reform the 300-year-old probate system, which has been losing money and on the verge of bankruptcy due to what advocates said was an outdated model.
"This process has been a great success for the probate system," said Probate Court Administrator Judge Paul Knierim, who served on the commission as an ex-officio member. "This commission took great pains to solicit input from all parties affected by probate redistricting and worked very hard to build on the Probate Assembly's work. I'm looking forward to working with the governor and legislature to complete this process."
Judge Fred Anthony, President of the Connecticut Probate Assembly, commented, "I'm very pleased that the work of drafting a redistricting plan that addresses the needs of the people of Connecticut and incorporates measures of fiscal responsibility was reviewed and received favorably by the bipartisan redistricting commission."
Click here for a map of the commission's approved plan.
Additional information on the Probate Redistricting Commission can be found at www.jud.ct.gov/probate/Redistrict/