Media Advisory

Press Conference Regarding Texas

Legal Aid Funding Concerns and Legislative Solutions

Wednesday, Feb. 20

AUSTIN, Texas—Representatives from the Texas Access to Justice Commission, the Texas Access to Justice Foundation and Texas Supreme Court Justice Nathan Hecht will hold a press conference at 12:30 p.m. (upon adjournment of the House) on Wed., Feb. 20, to discuss funding concerns related to the Texas legal aid system. A new economic impact study by The Perryman Group will be announced.

In addition to discussing funding, Margarita Sanchez, a survivor of domestic abuse whose life was changed with the help of legal aid, will share her story.

What:   Press conference regarding funding for the Texas legal aid system

When:  Wed., Feb. 20, 2013

      12:30 p.m. or upon adjournment of the House

Where:  Texas State Capitol, Speaker’s Committee Room, Room 2W.6

The Texas Access to Justice Commission was created in 2001 by the Supreme Court of Texas to develop and implement policy initiatives designed to expand access to and enhance the quality of justice in civil legal matters for low-income Texans. The Commission has created several initiatives to increase resources and awareness of legal aid. For more information, please visit www.TexasATJ.org.

The Texas Access to Justice Foundation (www.teajf.org), created by the Supreme Court of Texas in 1984, is the primary state-based funding source for the provision of civil legal aid in Texas. The organization is committed to the vision that all Texans will have equal access to justice, regardless of their income. The Foundation administers a variety of funding sources, which are earmarked to assist nonprofit organizations in providing legal aid to approximately 100,000 Texas families each year.


Live Stream during the press conference:
http://www.house.state.tx.us/video-audio/