Governor Charlie Baker released his first budget recommendations yesterday for FY16.
The legal community was largely disappointed by those
recommendations. The Trial Court was allocated $603 million, which
is approximately a $10 million decrease from FY15 funding and
nearly $40 million below the maintenance request submitted by the
court. If Gov. Baker's recommendations were to come to fruition,
the Trial Court estimates that they would have to eliminate 550
employees. The Trial Court has already had a 17 percent reduction
in staffing between July 2007 and July 2014. (Click here to read a statement from Supreme
Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants, Trial Court Chief
Justice Paula M. Carey and Trial Court Administrator Harry Spence
on the governor's budget proposal.)
Additionally, the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation
(MLAC) was allocated $14,683,589, level funding from current FY15
after the midyear cuts in January. MLAC was originally allocated
$15 million in FY15 and had requested a $10 million increase to $25
million to address the growing need for civil legal aid.
The House of Representatives is set to take up their version of
the budget in April. The MBA will remain proactive in working with
the leadership of our affiliated bars and court leaders to advocate
for a budget that provides appropriate access to justice for
all.