New York State Bar Association Commends Gov. Kathy Hochul For Returning $100 Million to a Fund for Civil Legal Services
2.16.2024
Richard Lewis, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement about Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive budget, which returns $100 million to a fund that pays for low-income New Yorkers to receive civil legal services:
“The New York State Bar Association commends Gov. Kathy Hochul for reversing her decision to remove $100 million from a fund that pays for civil legal services for low-income New Yorkers who are about to lose their homes, who are seeking lifesaving medical treatment, who need help recovering from crushing debt or are facing other life-changing civil legal challenges.
“This money is under the purview of the IOLA Fund, which supports 81 non-profit legal services organizations that help New Yorkers in their time of greatest need. The New York State Bar Association fought vigorously to keep the $100 million in the fund. We thank the governor for working with us and others who opposed transferring the money to the general fund. Together, we have ensured that the money will be there when low-income New Yorkers need it most. This is a win for access to justice.”
