Help Preserve New Yorker's Access to Justice

CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUNDING IS AT RISK OF ELIMINATION.  PLEASE CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS TO ASK THEM TO SUPPORT CIVIL LEGAL SERVICES FUNDING!

The Situation:  TWO OF THREE CORE FUNDING SOURCES FACE VIRTUAL ELIMINATION -

At the very same time, increasing numbers of New Yorkers are in need of civil legal services as their homes go into foreclosure, they lose their jobs are denied Unemployment Insurance or Public Assistance, they face eviction or seek an order of protection from an abuser and can't afford to hire a lawyer to help them.

We need your help to preserve these critical services! Take Action Now!

CPB warns about mortgage scams (Legislatie Gazette  - 3/8/2010) - “Loan Modification Scam Alert” campaign was launched by the New York State Consumer Protection Board last Thursday as a part of its annual Consumer Action Day.   Read More

Statewide "Loan Modification Scam Alert" Campaign Launched (3/4/2010) - Statewide “Loan Modification Scam Alert” Campaign Launched As Part of NYS Consumer Protection Board’s Annual Consumer Action Day. Event Also Offered a Variety of Free, Confidential Assistance to New Yorkers.   Read More

Budget options aplenty (Legislative Gazette - 3/1/2010) - The "Better Choice Budget Campaign," a series of options for raising state revenues and savings costs, was unveiled Feb. 22 by fiscal watchdog, environmental, education, civil legal service and poverty advocacy groups. Read More

Access to Justice is a Core Value, Not a Special Interest (2/23/2010) - The Statewide Campaign for Civil Legal Services urges the Governor and Legislature to support IOLA rescue funding and maintain all State funding.  Read More

Updated Chart Showing Civil Legal Services Funding Streams 1992 - 2009 (2/23/2010) - Chart showing funding levels for civil legal services.  Read More

Consumer Protections Hung Up in Senate (WXXI GoPublic - 2/18/2010) - When you ask Democratic Congressman Dan Maffei what's going on in the Senate, he takes a deep breath, and then speaks very carefully.  Read More

Congressman Maffei Praises New Consumer Protections (Congressman Dan Maffei 2/17/2010) - Congressman Maffei joined with representatives from the Empire Justice Center in Rochester to address the provisions of the Credit Cardholders' Bill of Rights and consumer protection.  Read More

Free Tax Preparation and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) (2/17/2010) - VITA is a free, IRS-sponsored program to help low- and middle-income workers have their taxes prepared and filed electronically at no cost.  Read More

New Law Protects Credit Cardholders (YNN Rochester - 2/16/2010) - Signed into law by the President, the Credit Card Bill of Rights will ban certain unfair and deceptive fees and rate increases.  Read More

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