Governor Rick Scott has vetoed funding for legal aid to low-income Floridians for the third straight year. $1 million had been slated for lawyers to help in cases of elder and child abuse, domestic violence, disabilities, consumer fraud and immigration.
The program, funded through the Florida Access to Civil Legal Assistance Act, also helps clients gain their federal benefits.
State Senator Rob Bradley, a Clay County Republican, is one of the program's strongest backers in the Legislature.
"Clearly the governor has issues with the appropriation for civil legal assistance because he's vetoed it three years in a row", said Bradley. "I would love to spend some time with the governor between now and next session to discuss the nature of his concerns."
Three years ago, when the state last funded the program, its lawyers closed nearly 4,000 cases, including 270 domestic-violence and 27 elder-abuse cases.