WA: pd funding's bad, it's statewide

News from Yakima:

Justice cause — County pleads with state for more money

Yakima County to plea for more money from governor

Saying they are one death penalty case away from bankruptcy, Yakima County commissioners are going with hat in hand to Gov. Christine Gregoire.

It's a stark statement about the impacts a costly death penalty case could have on county finances, but not an understatement, commissioners argue...

Yakima isn't the only county to face the problem of rising court costs in recent years. Depending on the complexity, trying a death penalty case can cost up to $1 million. It's a problem recognized by state and local officials alike.

In his state of the judiciary address before the Legislature on Wednesday, state Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerry Alexander noted that Washington ranks 50th of the 50 states in terms of the percentage of state support for its trial courts, including the cost of criminal prosecution and public defense...