The Texas Access to Justice Foundation hosted a press
conference today to raise awareness about the funding shortfall in the Texas
legal aid system. This shortfall is a significant problem for lower income
families and individuals who are unable to pay for legal representation. As a
result these people are faced with losing property, filing bankruptcy, and suffering
significant credit impairment. In order to address this issue, I have proposed
House Bill 1445. This legislation will allow other civil restitution recovered
from an action by the Attorney General on a matter that violates a consumer
protection, public health, or general welfare law to be credited to basic civil
legal services to the indigent. The bill
will also increase the amount per biennium that may be transferred to the
judicial fund from these actions to $50 million.
This legislation is urgently needed to assist lower income families and address the current funding shortfall. I am excited about the help that this legislation will provide and the prospect of "leveling the playing field" so that everyone in the Great State of Texas has the same access to legal representation. More information on this legislation can be found here.
This legislation is urgently needed to assist lower income families and address the current funding shortfall. I am excited about the help that this legislation will provide and the prospect of "leveling the playing field" so that everyone in the Great State of Texas has the same access to legal representation. More information on this legislation can be found here.
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