Given the connections between the law school (career services, public service, externships, and the UPCOMING clinic) and Louisville's Legal Aid Society, please find below information about the current budget crisis affecting Kentucky's civil legal aid programs.

2-27-08 Courier-Journal article: http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008802271077

According ot the Justice Cabinet Secretary’s Office, it is now clear that the Governor’s budget (HB 406) does not include a dedicated appropriation for Kentucky’s civil legal aid programs. Since 1996, the civil legal aid programs have received $1.5 million annually to support the work they do. Of this appropriation, Louisville's Legal Aid Society receives approximately $250,000 to serve clients in our region.

Funding needs to be restored for 2008-09. Supports of Legal Aid need to contact their elected members and urge them to fund Kentucky’s civil legal aid programs at $1.5 million annually. Phone calls or letters are the preferred method of contact. Emails are not effective at this point in the session given the sheer volume legislators are receiving.

Attached is a list of the Jefferson County Delegation members. The Jefferson County Delegation needs to hear from their constituents that this issue needs their attention.

For Faxes: Take the attached sample letter, paraphrase and add your own personal language. Please use letterhead that references your personal address within the elected official’s district. If you do not live in Jefferson County but know a supporter of Legal Aid who would be willing to contact their Jefferson County representative, please ask them to do so. The fax number is 502-564-6543.

For Phone Calls: The toll-free number to talk to OR leave a message for a legislator is 1-800-372-7181. The process is simple: Ask to speak to a House member. If he or she is unavailable, ask to leave a message. The message is:
Please restore funding for civil legal aid to $1.5 million in HB 406.