From Empire Justice Center:
CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUNDING IS AT RISK OF ELIMINATION. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS TO ASK THEM TO SUPPORT CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUNDING!
The Situation:
TWO OF THREE CORE FUNDING SOURCES FACE VIRTUAL ELIMINATION –
All the state funding that has been the budget for general civil legal services has been eliminated, including the Governor’s own $1 million commitment – a total of $13.2 million.
New York’s Interest on Lawyer Account (IOLA) Fund is poised to cut grants by at least 70% percent because of abysmally low interest earnings – grants to providers would go from $25 million statewide to an estimated $6.5 million.
At the very same time, increasing numbers of New Yorkers are in need of civil legal services as their homes go into foreclosure, they lose their jobs are denied Unemployment Insurance or Public Assistance, they face eviction or seek an order of protection from an abuser and can’t afford to hire a lawyer to help them.
We need your help to preserve these critical services! Please take a moment to click here to send an email to your legislators asking them to make access to justice a top priority!
lennyesq 