Lawyers e-Journal
Thursday, May. 3, 2012
House wraps up fiscal year 2013 budget debate
As reported in last week's eJournal, the House of
Representatives wrapped up debate on its $32.4 billion FY13 budget
plan on April 25. The House added $110 million back into the budget
during the three-day debate, including $6 million for the Trial
Court and an additional $1 million for the Massachusetts Legal
Assistance Corporation -- bringing MLAC's funding to $12
million.
The Senate Ways and Means Committee will release its budget
proposal later this month and the measure will then be debated by
the full Senate. Look for additional calls to action in each week's
eJournal, as they become available.
Your continued outreach to your respective senators is helpful
as the Massachusetts Bar Association continues to advocate for an
adequately funded justice system throughout the budget process.
As you know, the court system is serving approximately 42,000
people, who enter the courthouses each day, with more
than 1,300 fewer court personnel since July 2007. Court
backlogs are increasing; many clerks and registers have had to
reduce public hours of operation, except for emergencies; and,
there is an insufficient number of court officers, which also
increases security risks and causes disruptions and delays.
For more information or resources to assist with your
outreach, click
here.