Maine State Senator Anne Carney, who sponsored the civil legal services bill (LD 564), writes an op-ed explaining this year’s budget passed by the Legislature and the importance of funding for civil legal services.

Governor Janet Mills approves Maine’s state budget, which includes a one-time investment of $4 million for civil legal aid in Maine. An increase over previous years, this amount falls short of the proposed support in a bill the Legislature approved earlier this year.