The Commission takes an active role in monitoring and promoting legislation to increase access to justice. In concert with the State Bar of Texas and the Texas Access to Justice Foundation, the Commission regularly works with Texas lawmakers on both the state and federal level to reduce the gap between the need for legal services and the resources available to serve low-income Texans.
Increasing funding and resources for civil legal aid is important for all Texans, not just the poor. According to a 2013 study conducted by the Perryman Group, for every dollar spent in Texas for indigent legal services there is a $7.48 increase in total spending, $3.59 in output, and $2.22 in personal income. Moreover, this activity generates approximately $47.5 million in yearly fiscal revenue to state and local governments and helps maintain 4,528 permanent jobs.
The Commission and its partners continue to look for new ways to bring funding and resources to civil legal services by collaborating with legislators at the state and national level to support and promote legislation that will positively impact legal services to the poor.
