BBA Reviews House Budget – Applauds Support for Civil Legal Aid but Expresses Grave Concerns Re Trial Court Funding
Press ReleaseAs people throughout the Commonwealth began scrutinizing the budget released earlier today by the MA House of Representatives, the Boston Bar Association provided a very preliminary analysis for its members:
-The Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation was level funded at $9.5 million. The BBA is profoundly grateful that the House understands the critical importance of government funding for civil legal aid programs serving the neediest people in the Commonwealth.
-The Massachusetts Trial Court received $518 million, $26 million less than last year. The BBA is deeply troubled that an already inadequately funded judiciary struggling to fulfill its mission is being asked to accept additional cuts.
The BBA is in the process of gathering information on what if any impact the House budget will have on CPCS’s ability to meet the Commonwealth’s obligation to provide competent defense counsel to indigents, and also on the ability of D.A.’s Offices to operate effectively.
The BBA counts on the support of its members to join in continued advocacy efforts.