State courts avoid furloughs

State courts won't have to furlough employees or close courtrooms next week as feared now that Gov. Rick Scott and Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady have reached a loan agreement to fund the judicial branch.

The $19.5 million loan plugs a budget gap caused by a drop in foreclosure filing fee revenue. That drop stems from foreclosures being put on hold while paperwork issues are examined and resolved.

With the loan, the state court system is expected to have enough money to operate through May. Funds needed for June will be covered by a supplemental appropriation. On July 1, the new state budget goes into effect.