Lawyers e-Journal
Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012
MBA leverages billboards, YouTube videos to raise awareness on court funding
President Campbell says it’s a “first”
As Massachusetts nears its state budget process for FY 2013, the
Massachusetts Bar Association is launching a high profile awareness
campaign on the effects of underfunded courts. The statewide effort
is geared toward the commonwealth's general public.
"Understandably, the average citizen may not appreciate the
irreplaceable role courts play in their security, livelihood and
freedoms," MBA President Richard P. Campbell said. "This
significant communication will attempt to change that."
Through a billboard campaign to begin on Monday, Jan. 16, the
association aims to grab the average citizen's attention to
reinforce that court funding does impact him or her. The MBA's
message will be showcased on billboards in Greater Boston, along
I-93 in Dorchester and Medford; in Worcester along I-290; and in
Fall River along Rt. 24.
The billboard message will direct passersby to the MBA Web site --
www.massbar.org. Included on the
MBA's site will be informational materials on court funding as well
as resources citizens and members of the legal community can
reference when reaching out to their respective legislators on this
important issue.
As part of the informational on-line package, public service
announcement-style videos can be viewed. The videos highlight the
negative impact of inadequate court funding through the perspective
of judicial leadership, attorneys, academic leaders and court
staff.
"We've never done this before," Campbell said. "The fact that the
MBA has committed to elevating awareness in this fashion is a clear
indication of how dire the circumstances have gotten in the court
room atmosphere and operations."
Campbell said he realizes that the campaign won't reach every
citizen of the commonwealth, but he is eager to take the MBA's
communication and advocacy efforts to the next level to better
convey why Massachusetts should properly fund its third branch of
government.
In addition to the billboards and YouTube videos, the MBA will work
to share word of this new campaign through comprehensive outreach
to membership and the larger legal community, as well as other key
community and opinion leaders.
Gov. Deval L. Patrick is expected to release his version of the FYI
13 budget later this month, while both the House and Senate will
begin their budget debates in April and May respectively.
For more information, click here.