Gov. Rick Scott Gives Courts Last-Minute Loan

Florida's court system will remain up and running for the next two months as Gov. Rick Scott stepped in Wednesday to loan the courts $19.5 million.

Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady wrote Scott last month asking for funds to make up for the court system's $50 million deficit for the current fiscal year. Scott issued a $14 million loan at the time, and asked for more information before issuing additional funds. Courts throughout the state were contemplating furloughing workers and closing down during work days, delaying cases.

The deficit is the result of a slowdown in foreclosure filings and the associated fees.

Senators debating the budget on the floor Wednesday included a provision to pay judges more if they meet caseload goals each month as a way of decreasing the court system's backlogged cases.