Florida's Clerks of Court told lawmakers Wednesday they'd like a stable and predictable source of money from year to year, rather than being at the whim of the legislative process.

Sarasota Clerk of Court Karen Rushing told the Senate budget panel for criminal justice the clerks never know if they can make payroll or not.

Senator Charlie Dean, an Inverness Republican, said he wants to make it as easy as possible for the clerks to draw down what they need.

  "I'm well aware of the fact that we had clerks who were bankrupt, literally, in their counties", said Dean. "And it's ridiculous to have, you know, a constitutional officer in this position – and it's our fault."

Last year, lawmakers cut the clerks' budget by 7%, and later had to give them nearly $30 million more.