Empire State Alliance of Paralegal Associations

EMPIRE STATE ALLIANCE OF PARALEGAL ASSOCIATIONS

January 16, 2009

The Honorable David Paterson
Executive Chambers
New York State Capitol
Albany, New York

Dear Governor Paterson:

I am writing to you in my capacity as Chair of the Empire State Alliance of Paralegal Associations to urgently request that you restore $5.2 million in state funding for civil legal services to the
Executive Budget in your 30 day amendments.

The availability of civil legal assistance for low income New Yorkers -- the notion of "justice for all" -- is core to the fabric of our state and our nation.

Indeed, just as you noted in your State of the State address, there are "great charges" that are part of the culture and spirit of our State -- access to justice is one of them. Given this, and given that the need for these vital services only increases during times of economic distress, we ask that you to take the first step in partnering with the legislature to restore this funding to the previous year’s level of $7.2 million by amending your budget to include $3.99 million in Department of State funding and the $1.22 million in the Division of Criminal Justice Services for legal assistance to victims of domestic violence.

As you know, legal services organizations represent families at risk of eviction and foreclosure, helping to maintaining housing and reduce the need for more costly emergency shelter stays. Civil
legal assistance represents those living with disabilities and, increasingly, those returning from military deployment in their efforts to secure the benefits and services to which they are entitled but often denied. Legal services attorneys represent victims of domestic violence so that they can develop and pursue avenues of safety and independence. Legal assistance is often the last line of
defense for those at the very edge.

In 2005, the Legal Services Corporation released their "Justice Gap" report which documented that more than 80% of civil legal needs of low income individuals go unmet across the nation. Here in New York, similar studies have found that we have been able to assist an even smaller percentage of those in need. Indeed, available state funding totals just $2.68 per poor person in the current budget, down from a high of $5.87 in the 2007-08 budget.

Across the nation, all but three states provide funding for these essential, cost effective, crisis averting services. Should the elimination of state funding remain, New York would become the
fourth, a shameful status for the birthplace of legal aid.

The dramatic decline in the earning capacity of the IOLA Fund, combined with the loss of state funding threaten to decimate this small but vibrant network of service providers at the very time their
services will be needed most to help vulnerable New Yorkers.

We know you are committed to access to justice and are a supporter of providing legal assistance those who need it most. We urge you to take this opportunity to restore these funds and ensure that "justice for all" is truly part of the culture and spirit of New York State.

Sincerely,

EMPIRE STATE ALLIANCE OF PARALEGAL ASSOCIATIONS

Linda J. Magnifico, Chair