State prosecutors ask lawmakers for $3.2 million and new staff to address backlog and public‑records work

Tanya Schumann, of the Department of State and Attorney's Affairs, and Annie Noonan, the department's director of labor relations and operations, told a legislative committee on Friday that the office is asking for $3.2 million in new funding and a package of positions for fiscal 2026 to address a persistent backlog and support case processing across the state.

The request covers six paralegals, six administrative support staff, a docket manager, a part‑time fiscal support position, a full‑time field support staffer, a public‑records/public‑conviction (PCR) attorney and training staff. "All of the positions totaled here, we would need $3,200,000," Noonan said during the presentation.

The department said the $3.2 million figure does not include four deputy state's attorneys that the office wants converted from limited‑service to permanent status; those four positions are expected to be funded from existing limited‑service allocations if conversions are approved. Tanya Schumann told the committee she planned to share the hearing recording with frontline staff to show the committee "took the time today to hear from our front line."

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