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In the budget he submitted to Congress last
month, President Bush held firm on funding for the Legal Services
Corp., requesting the same allocation for next year that the
organization currently receives.
As part of his $1.96 trillion plan, Bush
requested funding of $329 million for LSC, which provides direct
grants to independent local legal services programs for the poor
throughout the country. The proposed amount would be allocated as
follows: $310 million for basic field programs, $4.4 million for
client self-help and information technology, $12.4 million for
management and administration and $2.5 million for the office of the
inspector general.
In language accompanying the budget request, Bush
offered a solid statement of support for the LSC:
"The federal government, through LSC, ensures
equal access to our nation's legal system by providing funding for
civil legal assistance to low-income persons. For millions of
Americans, LSC-funded legal services is the only resource available to
access the justice system . . . LSC programs serve clients in every
state and county in the nation. Last year, LSC-funded programs
provided legal assistance and information to almost one million
clients."
LSC President John McKay said the decision means
"LSC has a new lease on bipartisan support. This is the strongest
statement yet from President Bush that he cares deeply about ensuring
equal access to the justice system in America." |
