Justina Scalpone, director of the Post Conviction Defender Office, told the Senate Judiciary Committee that her agency’s FY budget request totals $4.2 million and reflects three primary cost increases: mandatory statutory step raises for attorneys tied to the public‑defender pay scale, a one‑time rent increase after the office moved from Parkway Towers to Metro Center, and funding for additional IT services (including a requested new position).

Scalpone said the statutory step raises are part of the public‑defender pay scale (she stated a figure of $50,000 in the presentation as the relevant pay metric), the rent increase is an $83,000 bump to cover the difference between the old lease and higher market rents, and the IT request reflects approximately $100,000 for services and one requested position. The governor’s proposed budget included the three cost increases but did not include authorization for the IT position; instead the administration provided the money "below the line" so the agency may hire enhanced contracted IT services rather than a full state position.

Committee members asked about turnover (the office reported a 15% turnover rate in 2024), recruiting challenges for investigator positions that require travel, and vacancies on the office’s oversight commission (three vacancies that the speaker of the House must fill). Scalpone said turnover reasons include higher pay opportunities elsewhere, travel requirements for investigators, and personal reasons; she said the oversight commission vacancies exist because the Speaker of the House has not yet appointed members and the office has recommended candidates.

The committee moved to approve the budget request and vote to forward the agency’s request to the finance committee; a roll call recorded nine ayes and no nays.

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(Reporting note: the agency emphasized continuity of client representation, its role on death‑row post‑conviction proceedings and clemency work, and the practical need for on‑site IT support.)