At least one state senator is prepared to cut jobs to save money in the shrinking state budget. Sentaor Mitch Seabaugh (R - Sharpsburg) wants to eliminate 19 Superior Court Judges in Georgia. The state currently has 205 Superior Court Judgeships.

Seabaugh suggests that if the judges worked more efficiently they could handle more cases. With only 186 judges, he says, Georgia could save $14 million dollars.

Along with the judges their staffs would also go.

"It will effect secretary, assistant DA, assistant PD and their operating costs," he says.

Melvin Westmoreland, is the President of the Georgia Council of Superior Court Judges. He calls the idea misguided.

In tough economic times, he says, foreclosure and child support filings go up. "When times are tough, people go to the courts," said Westmoreland.

According to the Judicial Council of Georgia, at current levels, the state is already short 70 superior court judges.

Tags: Georgia, lawmakers, Atlanta, budget cuts, Superior Court, georgia state budget, Mitch Seabaugh, GPBnews, Melvin Westmoreland