2026 Joint Legislative Budget Hearing On Public Protection

The New York Legal Services Coalition

Good day Chair Krueger, Chair Pretlow, and distinguished members of the Senate Finance Committee and Assembly Ways & Means Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. My name is Sal Curran, I am the Executive Director of the Volunteer Lawyers Project of CNY, and I am testifying on behalf of the New York Legal Services Coalition, which represents more than 50 civil legal services and legal aid organizations across New York State. Our members range from large, multi-county and statewide organizations to neighborhood-based legal services and pro bono programs serving every region and county of New York State.