Burgeoning budget.

Reeling from looming budget cuts that threatened security services at Los Angeles Superior Court, the local court system now stands to benefit from an $88.4 million statewide increase for the current fiscal year.

Local courts had expected cuts to their security budgets of between $7 million and $13 million as part of an anticipated $77.5 million statewide reduction in trial court funds.

Los Angeles Superior Court was forced to make cuts to its security budget alter the Judicial Council, which administers the state's trial courts, approved $22 million in reductions last summer.

Court spokesman Allan Parachini said court administrators initially dealt with pending cuts by closing an entrance to the downtown courthouse but have since made other changes.

"We in fact have re-opened the Starbuck's door, or the door between us and the plaza." Parachini said. "When we closed that door for budget reasons, there was an outcry of catastrophic proportions."

And instead of making those cuts, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has added the $88.4 million to the 2004-05 court budget.

Parachini said the bulk of that increase would come in retirement and benefits for employees and that little would change to the current security.

In Schwarzenegger's recently announced 2005-06 budget, he increases the state's trial court funding by $220.4 million over current levels. The specific dollars anticipated for Los Angeles Superior Court remain unclear until the governor releases a revised budget in May, Parachini said.

"All we can say is we're cautiously pleased by the governor's January budget," he said. "However, as we know from past experience, there is a long road ahead between it and signed final budget later this year."

Staff reporter Amanda Bronstad can be reached at [phone], ext. 225, or at [e-mail].