Budget news

The Massachusetts Bar Association applauds Gov. Deval Patrick's signing today of a supplemental state budget that provides $20 million in additional funding for our woefully underfunded court system. The $480 million supplemental budget appropriation includes $12 million in direct funds along with $8 million in retained revenues.

"The supplemental funding for the trial court is desperately needed, as the judicial branch continues to grapple with the affects of sustained budget cuts and enormous staff reductions over the past few years," said Martin W. Healy, the MBA's chief legal counsel and chief operating officer.