Letters: Hard times a bad time to cut legal services

An editorial last Saturday ("N.J. shouldn't cut Legal Services funding") was right on target.

In the meantime, in Philadelphia, Community Legal Services faces similar budget cuts. Fifteen staffers working on the problems of the disabled, the poor, the elderly, the unemployed, and the homeless are slated to lose their jobs this summer, and more staff will be laid off soon thereafter as a result of funding cutbacks in both the public and private sectors. CLS expects to have 20 percent less to spend in 2012 than in 2011, and that loss could be worse if federal sources are cut in the pending federal budget process.

To deprive the city's poorest residents of important legal representation when the need for assistance with foreclosures, evictions, unemployment compensation, health care, and utility problems is exacerbated by the economic crisis is painful to observe.

Now is the time to demonstrate a real commitment to equal justice for all.

Catherine C. Carr

Executive Director

Community Legal Services Inc.

Philadelphia