Alaska Chief Justice Requests $775K for New Palmer Judge and Maintenance Funding

Despite tight state budget, Chief Justice Susan Carney cites progress on court backlogs as justification for increased judicial funding.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Alaska Chief Justice Susan Carney asked lawmakers for $775,000 to hire a new judge in Palmer, citing progress on reducing court backlogs as proof the judiciary deserves more funding during tight budget times. Carney also requested continued funding for deferred maintenance on aging court buildings, describing crumbling infrastructure unable to keep out the elements and vermin.

Why it matters

The request for a new Palmer judge and maintenance funding comes as Alaska faces a $1.5 billion budget deficit, raising questions about the judiciary's ability to secure necessary resources. Carney's pitch highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing fiscal constraints with the need to address a growing population and aging court facilities in the Mat-Su region.

The details

Carney told lawmakers that the pandemic created a massive backlog of criminal cases, which has now returned to pre-pandemic levels. To reduce the backlog further, Carney has worked to shorten case timelines by limiting how long cases from 2022 or prior can be postponed. The request for a new Palmer judge is intended to serve the Mat-Su Borough's only courthouse, which Carney says is the busiest in the state. The fiscal note estimates the new judge would cost $775,500 in the first year, with future years costing $680,000.

  • In 2025, Carney told lawmakers the court system had much more work to do on speeding up trials.
  • In May 2022, an order from Carney took effect limiting how long cases from 2022 or prior can be postponed.
  • Carney made her pitch to lawmakers on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.

The players

Susan Carney

The Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court, who is requesting increased funding for the judicial branch.

Gary Stevens

The Republican Senate President from Kodiak, who smiled and shrugged at Carney's comment about the Snowden Building's map of Alaska.

Bryce Edgmon

The House Speaker from Dillingham, who told Alaska's News Source he would support Carney's proposal for a new Palmer judge.

Julie Coulombe

A Republican state representative from Anchorage, who said the budget is tight but that they will do what they can to address the judiciary's needs.

Steve St.Clair

A Republican state representative from Wasilla, who told Alaska's News Source he would also support Carney's push for another judge in Palmer.

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What they’re saying

“It's not comfortable to have the press focus on a few extremely sad, but also extremely unusual cases. But it's valuable for us.”

— Susan Carney, Chief Justice (alaskasnewssource.com)

“Delays happen when an attorney, whether on the defense or prosecution side, asks for more time to prepare for a hearing or to file some kind of document, and the judge grants that request.”

— Susan Carney, Chief Justice (alaskasnewssource.com)

“As the year went on, and courts became used to these requirements, momentum built. Some cases resolved because of our orders, and trial courts have carried that momentum forward.”

— Susan Carney, Chief Justice (alaskasnewssource.com)

“We know that deferred maintenance is a concern all across the state, but we have to provide safe and habitable spaces for the public and for our staff.”

— Susan Carney, Chief Justice (alaskasnewssource.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This request for a new Palmer judge and maintenance funding highlights the ongoing challenges the Alaska judiciary faces in balancing fiscal constraints with the need to address a growing population and aging court infrastructure, especially in the rapidly expanding Mat-Su region.