Legal Services Planning Committee resolution opposing proposed cuts and restrictions

Dear Governor Dayton:

The Minnesota Legal Services Planning Committee is a supreme court committee formed in 2005.  Its members are appointed by the court.  The Legal Services Planning Committee serves as a forum for reviewing available statewide data on the legal services delivery system, providing public education on the need for adequate funding of legal services, and discussing innovative, coordinated, and client-focused solutions to the problem of unmet civil legal needs.

Earlier today, in response to the Conference Committee Report on SF 958, the Planning Committee passed this resolution without a dissenting vote:

The Legal Services Planning Committee opposes the cuts in public safety appropriations for civil legal services.  The proposed cuts will damage Minnesota’s legal services programs and badly undermine the Minnesota programs that make it possible for private lawyers to do pro bono work.  In addition, the Planning Committee opposes the limits on services that can be performed by programs receiving appropriated funds.  The clients served by civil legal service programs need to have full and fair access to our courts and agencies.

We thank you for your time and attention.

Respectfully yours,

Peter B. Knapp

Chair, Legal Services Planning Committee