Florida Civil Legal UPDATE

A very special note from Dorene Barker:

Finally! After many sessions of lobbying to restore waiver of filing fees for the poor, we were able to finally restore it!! As most of you know, FLS has made this a number one priority since it was removed during the Article V rewrite. Congratulations to  Ann Perko, FLS substantive expert  who conducted the research, drafted all the materials, testified at  the hearings and walked the Capitol corridors with us (and of course Kent who was always providing excellent guidance behind the scenes!)  Ann, Arthur & I took it as far as we could and handed it off to the Florida Bar.  Florida Bar Lobbyists, Steve Metz and Josh Doyle expertly navigated the budget process and came out with a huge win for poor Floridians. This would not have happened with out them!! Many of you have contributed directly to this legislative victory. I truly believe that all of your contributions played a very significant role and for that WE at FLS wish to thank you for taking the time to talk, write letters and visit with your local legislators and leadership about waiver!!  A special thanks to Mary Anne De Petrillo who was always ready to assist with whatever request was made of her and for keeping the faith!!! Thank you!!

TheLedger.com reported on the events leading to the restoration of the waiver.  It’s a good thing this will occur.  As you will also see in the article, many court fees are also being increased.

One exception to higher court filing fees will be the waiver for people who can show they are indigent, which is expected to cost taxpayers $4 million a year.

“We thought we’d join the other 49″ states, said Senate Ways and Means Chairman J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales. “We felt that we wanted to do our best to make sure that no matter what your situation you have the ability to access our courts. We think that’s an important principle.”

The waiver was part of the Senate’s court fee bill but not included in the House’s version. The fee for filing a tenant case also will drop from $265 to $180.

The Civil Rights Division of the Florida Attorney General’s Office recently invited a representative of the Florida civil legal aid delivery system to the Capitol to accept an honor on behalf of the entire system concerning our fair housing advocacy.  Kris Knab, Executive Director of Legal Services of North Florida, was presented by the Attorney General, Governor, and other members of the Florida Cabinet with a resolution that recognizes the our collective work in fighting housing discrimination and predatory lending practices.  Ms. Knab thanked the AG and others on behalf of the delivery system.  Pics after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »