Page 266 - 2019 Orientation Manual

are through a Re-Entry Legal Clinic operated by Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana,
First 72+ and Southeast Louisiana Legal Services. The program recruits and trains volunteer
attorneys who provide pro bono legal assistance to people recently released or released within the
last five years. The Committee assists by hosting CLEs to educate current and potential volunteers
and coordinates discussion among participating organizations.

Funding Committee

The mission of the Funding Committee is to promote appropriate funding of the Louisiana Civil
Justice System and has incorporated the Louisiana Bar Foundation’s “Campaign to Preserve Civil
Legal Aid” into its work plan. Focus is on state and federal funding issues.

State Appropriations

Past efforts of the ATJ Funding Subcommittee have focused on state appropriation for the
Louisiana Legal Services Programs. These efforts were successful for several years with
the state funding of $500,000 included in the Governor’s Executive Budget for the Legal
Services Programs. However, the Legal Services Programs received no appropriation since
for FY 2011. As of 2019 there is still no funding in the state budget for the Louisiana Legal
Service programs. Louisiana remains one of only four states which does not fund civil legal
aid through either an appropriate or dedicated statewide fine or fee.

The ATJ Director coordinates participation of LSBA leadership in ABA Day in
Washington DC, a coordinated lobbying event at which our Bar leaders meet with each
member of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation to encourage adequate funding of the
Legal Services Corporation, the major funder of Louisiana’s largest legal services entities.

For the second year in a row and with the help of Louisiana Appleseed and the LA Bar
Foundation, the committee hosted a breakfast to educate for legislators on the importance
of civil legal aid to their constituents, the state and our economy. Twelve legislators
attended, including: Representative Mark Abraham, Representative Tony Bacala,
Representative Charles Chaney, Representative Royce Duplessis, Representative Rick
Edmonds, Representative Bernard LeBas, Representative Rodney Lyons, Representative
Patricia Smith, Senator Ronnie Johns, Senator Gerald Long, Senator John Milkovich,
Senator Beth Mizell. Senator Allain and Senator Karen Carter Peterson sent members of
their staff to the breakfast as well. Like last year, members of the Funding Committee also
plan to travel to Baton Rouge on May 1st and conduct an “ATJ Day at the Capitol.” The
purpose of this day is to host another event where members of the Funding Committee can
reach out to their legislators in the rotunda. The committee has also prepared educational
materials that will be distributed to all legislators in advance of this day.

Louisiana Appleseed has contributed to this project by hiring lobbyist to assist the ATJ
Commission’s Funding Committee efforts to obtain state funding for civil legal aid. The
ATJ Committee also coordinates efforts with the Louisiana Bar Foundation on its
Campaign to Preserve Civil Legal Aid, to benefit Louisiana’s civil legal aid community.

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