Progressive groups squeeze NY lawmakers over discovery law, involuntary commitments holding up state budget

It’s no April Fools.Progressive groups including The Legal Aid Society are putting the squeeze on New York lawmakers to reject Gov.Kathy Hochul’s proposals on involuntary commitment and discovery reform – and helping hold the state budget past its April 1 deadline.The budget impasse comes after lefty groups such as the largely taxpayer-funded nonprofit, mounted a pressure campaign involving well-paid backroom lobbying in Albany and even a high-profile think piece from author John Grisham.Representatives for the Legal Aid Society blamed Hochul for the expected delay and applauded lawmakers in the state Assembly and Senate for “holding the line.”“Rolling back discovery reforms should not, and must not, be the reason New York State’s budget does not get passed promptly,” a statement from Legal Aid states.“Governor Hochul’s insistence on exploiting the budget process to push through policies, including repealing New York’s modernized and widely successful discovery statute, is misguided and delays the critical fiscal policies New Yorkers need — especially now, as Albany faces the loss of federal support.”State Sen.

George Borrello (R-Chautauqua) argued that Legal Aid has a conflict of interest in its opposition to the discovery laws, which were passed in 2019 and require prosecutors to turn over evidence to defendants within 20 or 35 days after arraignment.“We have district attorneys’ offices that are starved, underfunded, understaffed.But we’re going to make the Legal Aid Society’s job easier with the discovery law,” he lamented.The Legal Aid Society bills itself as the largest, most influential social justice law firm in New York City — and it helps 2 million city residents every year through its defense services, litigation and advocacy, according to its annual report.The organization has received $290 million from the state to represent indigent New Yorkers since 2012, records show.Legal Aid lists a few dozen of its attorneys...