The New York State Bar Association and 15 local bar associations around the state sent a letter to lawmakers detailing their concerns over the automatic federal spending cuts set to take effect next year.
The cuts, accompanied by across-the-board tax increases, would hit programs throughout the federal government. The spending reductions would affect New Yorkers who rely on federal courts to resolve disputes and low-income residents who need civil legal assistance, according to the association.
“New York’s federal courts and those using the courts — both businesses and individuals — would be subject to delays, inconvenience, scheduling difficulties, and, in some cases, the inability to obtain basic justice,” the letter stated. “Access to justice is fundamental to our society, and we are eager to work with you to protect one of our country’s fundamental principles.”
The letter was signed by the presidents of the New York City Bar Association, the New York County Lawyers Association, and bar presidents from Albany, Bronx, Broome, Erie, Kings, Monroe, Nassau, Oneida, Onondaga, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk, and Westchester counties. The letter went to the state’s two U.S. senators and its 29 members in the House of Representatives.
The state bar association has 77,000 members.
Contact Tampone at ktampone@cnybj.com