The House of Representatives is poised to consider amendments to
the FY15 budget proposed by the House Ways and Means Committee next
week. Included in the amendments is #157 filed by Rep. Ruth B.
Balser (D-Newton), which would increase Massachusetts Legal
Assistance Corporation (MLAC) funding to $17 million (from $13
million). Please call your State Representative and ask him/her to
sign on and to convey support of Balser's amendment to House
Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and House Ways and Means Chair Brian S.
Dempsey.
MLAC has been forced to cut grants by 51 percent since FY08.
More than half of those who seek legal aid, and are eligible, are
turned away due to lack of resources. Eligibility for MLAC programs
is 125 percent of the federal poverty level, which is $29,813 per
year for a family of four.
Click
here to find your representative's contact information.
Click here to find out who your representative
is.