Many of you may not remember, but in 2003, then Gov. Romney vetoed 20% of the funding for bar advocates and the 6th Amendment right to counsel. [This is line item 0321-1510] Line item 0321-1510 had come out of the legislature 20% short, so all bar advocates began the year knowing that they were not only doing legal work for $30.00 an hour, but 40% underfunded. The legislature NEVER over rode those vetoes, and many bar advocates I knew who are dedicated to representing the poor were eligible for food stamps and receiving foreclosure notices.
That is the year the Massachusetts Association of Court Appointed Attorneys [MACAA] was formed, under fire from Governor Romney, and in desperate times.
This year, line item 0321-1510 left the legislature 98% funded – and despite tough economic times, no vetoed funds. Also, the majority of bar advocate case work is now paid at $50.00 an hour.
See: http://www.mass.gov/bb/gaa/fy2…
Bar advocates still are independent contractors, and do this work with no paid sick or vacation time, no health insurance, no pension, and out of a love of the law. Net is far less then $50.00 an hour, but no complaints from me – $50.00 is sure better then $30.00 though traveling all over the state with $4.00 a gallon gasoline and soaring health insurance, etc. still is a squeeze.
So thanks from MACAA and all bar advocates to Gov. Patrick, the State House of Representatives and the State Senate.
And – someday can bar advocates join the GIC in a revenue neutral manner [no harm in asking!!] GIC is much better than what most bar advocates can afford.
