by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Among the $615 million in funding slashed from the state budget through vetoes from Gov. Rick Scott was $1 million for legal aid organizations statewide.
The Florida Access to Civil Legal Assistance Act helps to fund legal aid organizations throughout the state and the budget line item of $1 million was approved by both the State House and Senate.
Scott vetoed the item from the nearly $70 billion budget.
Jacksonville Area Legal Aid had expected to receive about $150,000 in grant funds from a combination of Legal Assistance Act and public service grants.
“This was a surprise. I didn’t see this one coming,” said Michael Figgins, executive director of JALA.
“This is an issue that cuts across party lines. It’s support for justice and fairness,” he said.
The JALA board of directors approved a budget of about $5.8 million for the 2011 fiscal year.
The organization was facing a reduction in revenues by more than $1 million for the 2012 fiscal year before the governor’s veto.
The Legal Assistance Act was created in 2002 and the funding for the program is distributed by The Florida Bar Foundation.
Grants are awarded to legal aid organizations statewide toward legal assistance and education of legal rights to eligible clients.
The assistance and education is in the areas of family law, juvenile law, entitlements to government benefits, protection from domestic violence, elder and child abuse and immigration.
“I can’t see how a governor that supports job creation and economic development would not support the program,” said Figgins. “We use that money to create jobs and stimulate the economy.”
The Florida Bar Foundation worked with Florida TaxWatch in 2010 to find out what the economic impact of providing civil legal services to the poor has on the state economy.
The study revealed that for every dollar spent on legal aid by federal, state and local governments, a return of $4.78 is generated.
The funding also assists in the creation of more than 3,300 jobs throughout the state, it said.
The news from the state level may have been disheartening to the Jacksonville nonprofit, but it is hopeful that other funding can be found.
Last year, City Council member Kevin Hyde introduced Ordinance 2010-766 to “require the Circuit and County Courts to impose an additional court cost of $40 to be utilized in Duval County for foreclosure-related educational, mediation and defense programs for the disadvantaged through Jacksonville Area Legal Aid Inc.”
The ordinance is co-sponsored by Council members Ray Holt, Warren Jones and Jack Webb.
“We are looking to see what the amount (of the fee) would be because the governor slashed some legal aid funding and we are trying to see whether or not any of that funding can be restored through this,” said Hyde.
The ordinance is being reviewed by the Council’s Finance, Public Health and Safety, and Rules committees. Hyde expects the ordinance to move out of committee in time to be heard by the full Council at the June 14 meeting.
“All of this started by looking at the foreclosure issue,” said Hyde.
“This has been a way, in the past, to assist legal aid with the foreclosure effort, and it has only had decreases in its funding while the foreclosure problems still exist.
I think this will be an effective way to not only help with the foreclosure issue, but help with issues where legal aid plays a vital role,” he said.
JALA will also be asking the local community for support as it tries to recover from the funding setback.
JALA budgeted for community fundraising of $150,000 in 2011-12 after a record year in 2010-11 raising $168,000 from the community.
The goal is to bring in $200,000 this year, which is higher than budgeted.
“I could have 20 more lawyers in this building and not be able to help all the people who need it,” said Christa Figgins, development director for JALA.
“The absolute worst feeling is to have to look across the desk and tell people we can’t help them. We are their last hope, and I have given out more Kleenex this year than I ever have.”
356-2466