September 9, 2009
STATE BAR ASSOCIATION RENEWS CALL FOR APPROVAL OF
MORE THAN $5 MILLION IN CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUNDING
Association President Getnick Again Urges State
Senate to Take Action During Tomorrow’s Legislative Session in
Albany
New York State Bar Association President Michael E. Getnick (Getnick
Livingston Atkinson & Priore, LLP of Utica and of counsel to Getnick
and Getnick of New York City) today again urged members of the New York
State Senate to approve a resolution, which would allow for distribution
of more than $5 million in civil legal services funding, when the Senate
reconvenes for a special legislative session tomorrow in Albany.
“During these difficult times – with an economy that is
still struggling under the burdens of double-digit unemployment and a
skyrocketing number of home foreclosures – the demand for access
to civil legal services for those who cannot afford to pay has never
been greater,” Getnick said. “Approval of this
critical funding will allow legal aid providers throughout New York the
opportunity to protect our most vulnerable citizens and will save
countless dollars in the future that would otherwise be required to be
spent by government for social services, housing, consumer debt, and
other programs. I implore the Senate to take appropriate action
tomorrow and to authorize these funds without any further
delay.”
The more than $5 million in funding includes $4.4 million from the
Department of State’s budget for legal services and $609,000 from
the Division of Criminal Justice Services’ budget, both of which
were approved as part of the 2009-10 state budget adopted by the State
Legislature in April. President Getnick had made a similar plea in a
letter to the State Senate’s leadership during its special session
in August.
####
The 76,000-member New York State Bar Association is the official
statewide organization of lawyers in New York and the largest voluntary
state bar association in the nation. Founded in 1876, State Bar programs
and activities have continuously served the public and improved the
justice system for more than 130 years.
| 
News Center
