There’s not a lot of good news in the $33.8 billion House Ways and Means budget released last Wednesday…..the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC), the Judiciary, and the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) are all woefully underfunded. The House Ways and Means recommended level funding for the District Attorney’s Offices in its budget. However, given the magnitude of resources that will be needed to respond to the drug lab crisis — which is certainly going to be a long term issue — level funding will not nearly be enough.
In addition to being underfunded, CPCS is also deeply troubled by two outside sections of the budget, Section 81 and Section 82, which would dramatically change how cases are handled at CPCS. If adopted, these outside sections would create an indigent defense committee charged with awarding 25% of District Court cases in Middlesex County to attorneys affiliated with private or non-profit entities on a capped flat fee basis. Private bar advocates currently handle these cases. Representative Angelo Scaccia filed Amendment 334 to strike the two outside sections.
Here’s a closer look at the proposed budget…..
The Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation – MLAC’s requested $15.5 million for its FY 14 budget.
- House Ways & Means proposed budget: $11 million
- Governor’s proposed budget: $15.5 million
Representative Ruth Balser filed Budget Amendment #536 which, if adopted, would restore the MLAC line item to $15.5 million. For the latest information on MLAC, check out their fact sheet.
The Massachusetts Trial Court – The Trial Court’s maintenance request for FY 14 was $589.5 million, which included funding for a judicial pay raise.
- House Ways & Means proposed budget: $567.8 million
- Governor’s proposed budget: $577.7 million
Representative Eugene O’Flaherty filed Budget Amendment #232, which would restore the Trial Court’s funding to their maintenance request of $589.5 million. The Trial Court’s graph demonstrates the dramatic decline in personnel and helpful information on their case filings and funding.
Additionally, Representative O’Flaherty has also filed Budget Amendment #226 to restore the Appeals Court line item and Budget Amendment #228 to restore the Supreme Judicial Court line item.
When debate on the House budget is over at the end of next week, the Senate will have an opportunity to debate its version of the budget in May. Stay tuned.
– Kathleen Joyce
Director of Government Relations
Boston Bar Association
