The Berkshire Eagle
Below is an excerpt from a May 1 article published by The Berkshire Eagle.
PITTSFIELD — Legal aid advocates say a $30 million boost in state aid would greatly increase the commonwealth’s impoverished chances of getting proper representation in divorce cases, custody battles, foreclosures and other civil matters.
The Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corp. wants the Legislature to boost its fiscal 2017 appropriation to $27 million, up from the current $17 million, with an additional $10 million in requests expected for fiscal years 2018 and 2019.
Formed by the Legislature 33 years ago, MLAC financially supports 14 legal aid groups across the state, dispersing money allocated by the state and money from the Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts.
Citing a Boston Bar Association task force study, MLAC Executive Director Lonnie Powers defended the 63 percent funding increase in a recent interview with The Eagle.
Read more at The Berkshire Eagle.
