May 1, 2019

Senator Richard Shelby Senator Patrick Leahy Chairman Ranking Member U.S. Senate Committee on U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations Appropriations 437 Russell Building 304 Russell Building Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510

Senator Jerry Moran Senator Jeanne Shaheen Chairman Ranking Member U.S. Senate Committee on U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, & Subcommittee on Related Agencies Commerce, Justice, Science, 506 Hart Senate Office Building & Related Agencies Washington, DC 20510 521 Dirksen Building Washington, DC 20510

Re: State Attorneys General Support the Legal Services Corporation

Dear Chairwoman Shelby, Ranking Member Leahy, Chairman Moran, and Ranking Member Shaheen,

As state attorneys general, we respectfully request that you consider robust funding for the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) in the Fiscal Year 2020 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill.

For nearly 45 years, LSC funding has helped veterans and military families secure important benefits, supported survivors of domestic violence, and provided vital assistance to families facing foreclosure, victims of natural disasters, seniors, and disabled Americans. Today, it is also an essential support for rural and low- income Americans and families affected by the nationwide opioid epidemic.

LSC funding has also fostered public-private partnerships between legal aid organizations and private firms and attorneys across the country which donate their time and skills to assist residents in need. Nationwide, 132 independent nonprofit legal aid programs rely on this federal funding to provide services to tens of thousands of our constituents.

We thank you for your efforts to ensure continued funding for LSC. Please know 1850 M Street, NW that it makes a real difference in our states. Twelfth Floor Washington, DC 20036 Sincerely, Phone: (202) 326-6000 http://www.naag.org/

Maura Healey Tim Fox Massachusetts Attorney General Montana Attorney General

Kevin G. Clarkson Talauega Eleasalo V. Ale Alaska Attorney General American Samoa Attorney General

Xavier Becerra Phil Weiser California Attorney General Colorado Attorney General

William Tong Kathleen Jennings Connecticut Attorney General Delaware Attorney General

Karl A. Racine Ashley Moody District of Columbia Attorney General Florida Attorney General

Christopher M. Carr Leevin Taitano Camacho Georgia Attorney General Guam Attorney General

Clare E. Connors Lawrence Wasden Hawaii Attorney General Idaho Attorney General

Kwame Raoul Curtis Hill, Jr. Illinois Attorney General Indiana Attorney General

Tom Miller Andy Beshear Iowa Attorney General Kentucky Attorney General

Aaron M. Frey Brian Frosh Maine Attorney General Maryland Attorney General

Dana Nessel Keith Ellison Michigan Attorney General Minnesota Attorney General

Jim Hood Douglas Peterson Mississippi Attorney General Nebraska Attorney General

Aaron D. Ford Gordon MacDonald Nevada Attorney General New Hampshire Attorney General

Gurbir S. Grewal Hector Balderas New Jersey Attorney General New Mexico Attorney General

Letitia James Josh Stein New York Attorney General North Carolina Attorney General

Wayne Stenehjem Edward Manibusan North Dakota Attorney General Northern Mariana Islands Attorney General

Mike Hunter Ellen F. Rosenblum Oklahoma Attorney General Oregon Attorney General

Josh Shapiro Peter Neronha Pennsylvania Attorney General Rhode Island Attorney General

Jason R. Ravnsborg Herbert H. Slatery III South Dakota Attorney General Tennessee Attorney General

T.J. Donovan Mark R. Herring Vermont Attorney General Virginia Attorney General

Robert W. Ferguson Joshua L. Kaul Washington Attorney General Wisconsin Attorney General