Request to Contact Governor and Attorney General - Civil Legal Assistance Funding

Many of you may have heard that there is $2 million in the 2012-13 state budget for Civil Legal Assistance under the Florida Access to Civil Legal Assistance Act (FACLA). The funds go through the Attorney General's Office/Department of Legal Affairs to the Foundation and are granted out to local legal aid programs (see attached list of grantees from 2010-11 when state funding was $1 million).

We had no state funding last year as Governor Scott vetoed the $1 million appropriation. So, this year, we need to redouble our efforts to secure the Governor's and Attorney General's support. This state funding is especially critical to local legal aid programs in light of the Foundation having to cut its funding because of the drop in IOTA revenue.

We ask that you contact Governor Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi this week or very early next week (and ask others to do so -- especially those who know the Governor and/or Attorney General) and encourage them to support the $2 million appropriation. There was no controversy in the Legislature about this funding (there never has been).

You can let the Governor and Attorney General know how important legal aid is in your community, the difference it makes in the lives of those most vulnerable and how much the state funds are needed.

Contact information, including email links follow. A list of attached resources to assist you follows the content information.

NOTE: USE "Civil Legal Assistance" in the Subject Line of a letter or email.

Office of Governor Rick Scott
State of Florida
The Capitol
400 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0001
http://www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-the-governor/

Office of Attorney General Pam Bondi
State of Florida
The Capitol PL-01
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1050
http://myfloridalegal.com/contact.nsf/contact?Open&Section=Attorney_General

RESOURCES

1. FACLA brochure describing what state funds can and cannot be used for (you may wish to emphasize: protection from domestic violence, child and elder abuse, and entitlement to federal benefits, including veterans benefits)

2.Talking points, "Florida's Legal Aid Funding Crisis"