Pres. Obama's Budget Proposal Contemplates Modest Increase in LSC Funding
According to a “Legal Aid News” alert from the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA):
As part of his detailed Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 budget plan, the President is seeking $435 million for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC). This is the same level of funding recommended in FY 2010 and only $15 million more than the amount [actually] appropriated [by Congress] for FY 2010. The President’s request also includes, unchanged from the President’s request in FY 2010, language regarding removal of the current restrictions on non-LSC funds, as well as the restrictions on attorneys’ fees and participation in class action suits. The restriction on attorneys’ fees was lifted in the FY 2010 appropriation enacted into law last December, while the restrictions on non-LSC funds and class actions remain.
LSC had requested an appropriation of $516.5 million for FY 2011. Undoubtedly, the Obama Administration’s announced intention to curb discretionary spending has rendered any significant LSC funding increases unlikely, at least in the near term.