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Ongoing coordination of efforts on several funding options with
LBF and Louisiana Appleseed
o Work with Louisiana Appleseed lobbyists to develop and
facilitate passage of state funding request
 Funding Committee members plan to meet with
Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne to
discuss FY2021 Civil Legal Aid Funding
 Obtained a $500,000 state appropriation in FY21 Budget
for Louisiana civil legal aid
 Established $1 M state appropriation goal for FY 21
 Committee members met with Commissioner Jay
Dardenne to discuss this year’s funding goal

o Coordinate breakfast to educate legislators on civil legal aid
 Civil Legal Aid Day was initially scheduled to be held on
Tuesday, March 17th, but was cancelled in response to
the pandemic.
 In response to the pandemic, in conjunction with the
legal service organizations, LA Appleseed hosted a
series of virtual legislative education sessions for
legislators and legislative staff on the importance of civil
legal aid and how to best refer constituents.
o Assess possible alternative sources of state and local funding
Assessing expansion of current filing fee statutes
After initial contact, appearance at Clerk of Court conference
was postponed due to event cancelation
▪ LSC Programs worked with LBF to request
“Cares Act” funding for civil legal aid
o Hold a Louisiana Access to Justice Commission Meeting in
Baton Rouge, LA to encourage participation by legislators
 Scheduled May ATJ Commission meeting in BR to
coincide with legislative session (held virtually due to
COVID-19)
 Will invite local legislators to meetings outside of BR
(meetings held virtually)
 Sen. Beth Mizell has accepted an appointment to the
ATJ Commission and participated in the December 2019
meeting
 Coordinate Annual ABA Visit to Congress in support of federal funding
for LSC;
Three Louisiana Congressmen supported robust funding for the LSC
(in a dear colleague letter).

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