State courts administrative director Sara Thomas told lawmakers on Wednesday, Idaho’s courts are facing “critical” and “dire” needs.

Thomas says positions for court reporters, who are required by both the state and U.S. constitutions, are going unfilled for months and even years, because Idaho’s pay is so low and there’s no school for court reporters closer than Washington state.

The Idaho Press reports, Idaho judges’ pay ranks near last among neighboring states and low among all states. And the 4th Judicial District — Ada County — is in “dire” need of more judges.

The court system has budget requests in all three areas, and the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee was highly receptive to the pitch.