Note: This press release was provided by Attorney General Anthony G. Brown
BALTIMORE – Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, joined by a bipartisan group of 39 other attorneys general across the country, is urging Congress to keep in place critical funding for the Legal Services Corporation, or LSC.
In a letter to the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees and the House and Senate Subcommittees on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, Weiser and the other attorneys general called on Congress to continue LSC’s critical mission of providing legal assistance to people in rural communities, veterans and military families, domestic violence survivors, older adults victimized by scams and fraud, and any others who might struggle to afford an attorney in civil legal matters.
“Veterans, elderly Marylanders, and those who live in rural communities all depend on LSC funding to find help when they have nowhere else to turn—whether they’re fighting to keep their homes, escape abuse, or simply be heard in a system that too often overlooks them,” said Attorney General Brown. “As government resources grow tighter, we must protect services that ensure no one is left behind in their quest for justice.”
LSC operates a network of 130 independent legal aid organizations in over 900 offices in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories, assisting millions of Americans in every congressional district with legal needs such as securing veterans’ benefits, support with natural disasters, and providing access to legal services for people in rural areas—such as the Easter Shore, Western Maryland, and Southern Maryland—where a shortage of lawyers often compounds existing legal issues.
Attorneys general have a long history of supporting federal funding for LSC. With Congressional leaders debating potential budget cuts, the bipartisan group of attorneys general are joining forces to urge leaders from both parties to prioritize funding for LSC, calling the organization a good steward of taxpayer dollars. The letter also notes the corporation distributes 95% of its funding directly to the legal aid organizations providing services to Americans.
Locally, the biggest recipient of funding from LSC is Maryland Legal Aid with offices in every region of the State. The $6.5 million grant that Maryland Legal Aid receives from the Legal Service Corporation results in assistance to more than 22,000 low-income Marylanders. The representations provided by Legal Aid prevent unnecessary evictions, resolve family law disputes, and ensure that families and individuals receive their public benefits. The work of Legal Aid creates economic security for families, children, seniors, and communities.
Joining Attorney General Brown in signing the letter are the attorneys general of Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, U.S. Virgin Islands, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.