Press Release on the FY2627 California State Budget

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SACRAMENTO – Today, June 15th, the Assembly and Senate voted on a final budget deal for the FY 2026-2027 state budget, sending the bills to the Governor’s desk for his signature. Our state government was able to include crucial support for legal aid, allowing legal organizations to continue protecting the rights of low-income Californians during a difficult budget year.

The final legislative budget includes a $30 million increase to the Equal Access Fund (EAF), the primary state funding source for free civil legal services in California. $24 million of that funding will go directly to EAF grants, with the additional $5.25 million supporting the California Access to Justice Commission’s Infrastructure and Innovation Grants for civil legal services and $0.75 million for the Commission to assist legal aid staff who have lost access to Public Service Loan Forgiveness due to their work representing immigrants and others in marginalized communities. As federal funding for the safety net is cut, a legal aid lawyer can often step in and help protect people’s rights. This funding could provide vital support to programs struggling with heavy increases in demand for their services.

“We are grateful to the legislature for prioritizing keeping families housed, communities safe, and people healthy by funding additional civil legal services,” said Lorin Kline, LAAC’s Director of Advocacy. “We are facing fundamental changes to the systems and programs that serve low-income and vulnerable people, and this funding will allow legal aid organizations to help people navigate those changes successfully.” 

The budget also includes state funding to protect against losses in grants supported by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), which has been subject to federal funding cuts. State legislators have allocated $50 million as backfill this year. The VOCA Coalition, led by the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, has tirelessly advocated for this funding as the federal government has withdrawn support.

“Without the leadership of Assemblymembers Stefani and Kalra and Senator Umberg, our state would not have this important investment. We are grateful for so many champions in both houses who continue to center the needs of low-income Californians,” said Salena Copeland, Executive Director of the Legal Aid Association of California (LAAC). “We are hopeful that the Governor ultimately signs a budget that includes this investment.”