Urge Gov. Vilsack to Request $1.2 Million for Legal Aid FundingIowa Legal Aid
Your help is needed now to maintain low-income Iowans' access to legal assistance for issues involving domestic abuse, housing, utilities, health care and other basic necessities. Iowa Legal Aid is turning away almost 900 people each and every month who need help. Without additional state funding, thousands more who have nowhere else to turn will not receive the help they need.
Iowa Legal Aid has seen dramatic reductions in federal funding, funding from Iowa's IOLTA Commission and, most recently, the elimination of a grant from the United State Department of Justice to fund services to survivors of domestic violence. As a result of these reductions, Iowa Legal Aid's funding in 2005 will be $1.5 million less than it was in 2002.
In 2004, Iowa Legal Aid received $594,000 in state funding. As a result of other funding reductions, if state funding remains at $594,000 in 2005, Iowa Legal Aid will be short over $700,000 to maintain existing staff in calendar year 2005. This projection does not include filling any of the 19 attorney positions around the state that are currently vacant. Some offices are operating with less than the full-time equivalent of 2.5 attorneys serving 14 counties.
Iowa Legal Aid's Board of Directors is seeking state funding in the amount of $1.2 million. Although this is double the state funding for 2004, the increase is needed to maintain services. This amount of state funding is also being supported by the Iowa State Bar Association and the Iowa Trial Lawyers Association.
Iowa Legal Aid staff and Board members have met with the Governor's office to explain the crisis currently facing the delivery of civil legal services to low-income Iowans. The Governor's office is exploring ways in which they can be helpful. You can help by contacting the Governor's office and urging the Governor to support state funding in the amount of at least $1.2 million in the coming fiscal year. Emphasize that legal aid needs the Governor to support state funding for Iowa Legal Aid of at least $1.2 million in order to maintain existing services. Iowa Legal Aid is already turning away almost 900 people every month. Without additional state funding, that number will increase dramatically.
Time is of the essence, so please send an e-mail, make a telephone call or send a letter to the Governor's office within the next two to three days. Please contact any or all of the following people in the Governor's office:
Governor Tom Vilsack
State Capitol
Des Moines, IA 50319
515-281-5211
tom.vilsack@iowa.gov
Dusky Terry
Governor's Office
State Capitol
Des Moines, IA 50319
dusky.terry@iowa.gov
515-281-0141
Steve Falck
Governor's Office
State Capitol
Des Moines, IA 50319
steve.falck@igov.state.ia.us
515-281-0130
John Pederson
Governor's Office
State Capitol
Des Moines, IA 50319
john.pederson@iowa.gov
515-281-4495