Massachusetts lawmakers pass raise for bar advocates, but some say they won't budge
The deal would raise bar advocate wages by $10 an hour starting immediately with a promise to raise their wages another $10 an hour next fiscal year. Currently, bar advocates in Massachusetts make $65 an hour, compared to more than $100 an hour for advocates in other New England states.
A group of advocates gathered at the State House Thursday to protest the deal, which they say, was constructed in a back room without their input.
"The right to counsel is only words to them. They don't understand. They don't understand the Constitution and they certainly don't understand the hard work that bar advocates do day in and day out throughout this Commonwealth," said defense attorney Sean Delaney.
Bar advocates walked off the job after Memorial Day, demanding better wages. The move left thousands of defendants without representation and caused judges in Suffolk County to dismiss over 100 cases.
Now, the Legislature's plan would put $40 million towards hiring 320 more public defenders, a separate group of attorneys who work full time for the state.
Governor Maura Healey says she is prepared to sign the deal. "It's really a function of how much money there is in the budget right now and the legislature, I know, worked very hard to provide what they could with what we have for a budget right now," Healey said.
Bar advocates say their grief remains over the secrecy of the process.
"We are going nowhere. You're strengthening our cause and our resolve. Personally, I am not taking another case until they do what is right," Delaney said.
What passed also included language aimed at preventing a standoff in the future. It says bar advocates who refuse to accept new clients because of their pay may constitute a violation of the state's antitrust laws.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox News
21 minutes ago
- Fox News
Gutfeld appears on Fallon as Trump blasts other late-night comedians
'Fox News @ Night' panelists Tiana Lowe Doescher and Emily Austin react to Greg Gutfeld's appearance on 'The Tonight Show' with Jimmy Fallon amid President Trump's criticism of late-night comedy.
Forbes
22 minutes ago
- Forbes
Trump Says White House Press Conference Will ‘Stop Violent Crime' In D.C.
President Donald Trump on Saturday said a press conference at the White House next week will address crime in Washington, D.C., following his claims that violent crime is widespread in the nation's capital, despite federal data indicating crime rates have fallen to historic lows. The president claimed Washington, D.C., had become "one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the world," despite federal data indicating crime fell to historic lows. Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. A White House press conference on Monday will 'essentially stop violent crime' in Washington, D.C., Trump wrote on Truth Social, claiming the city had become 'one of the most dangerous' in the world. Trump did not specify what the press conference would entail, though he noted Washington, D.C., would 'soon be one of the safest' cities. Trump has claimed in recent months that violent crime was rampant in Washington, D.C., and has threatened to deploy the National Guard and have the city be taken over by the federal government, writing earlier this week that if 'D.C. doesn't get its act together, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the city.' Violent crime rates in Washington, D.C., dropped 35% from 2023 to 2024, marking the lowest rates recorded in more than 30 years, according to the Justice Department. According to data released Aug. 8 by the Metropolitan Police Department, violent crime rates have continued to fall in 2025, with violent crime down 26% year-over-year. The MPD said homicide rates have dropped 12% on the year so far, sex abuse by 49%, assault with a dangerous weapon by 20% and robbery by 28%. Property crime rates have also fallen, including burglary (19%), theft from vehicles (4%) and other theft crimes (6%). Why Does Trump Want A Federal Takeover Of D.c.? Trump previously called for the federal government to take control of Washington, D.C., by falsely claiming violent crime rates were rising in the city. His latest calls follow an attack on a high-ranking member of the Department of Government Efficiency, as Trump wrote on Truth Social that crime in D.C. was 'out of control' and the federal government would 'put criminals on notice that they're not going to get away with it anymore.' MPD said two 15-year-old suspects were arrested and charged with unarmed carjacking, after Edward Coristine was assaulted in the early morning of Aug. 3. It's not immediately clear whether Trump would bring in the National Guard, though the White House said in a statement that agents from some law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, immigration police and a dozen other offices were deployed early Friday. It's not immediately clear where or how many agents were deployed, though the White House said deployment was focused on 'high traffic areas and other known hotspots.' Officials will be 'identified, in marked units, and highly visible.' Could Trump Order A Federal Takeover Of D.c.? Trump could lobby support for federal control of Washington, D.C., though doing so would require approval from Congress, which would need to vote to repeal the 1973 Home Rule Act. The law established a legal framework for city residents to elect local officials, including a mayor and city council, to manage city business. A bill to repeal the Home Rule Act was introduced by Rep. Andrew Ogles, R-Tenn., in February, though the legislation has yet to move forward. Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., told Fox News she would 'totally' support Trump if he sought a federal takeover, adding, 'If that's what we need to do to get it done, that's what he should do.' Trump has said he would support a federal takeover of the MPD, falsely claiming the crime rate in the city was 'ridiculous,' though legal experts have said this would likely be challenged in court. Key Background Trump proposed the federal government's takeover of Washington, D.C., multiple times during his presidential campaign last year. He met with Mayor Muriel Bowser at his Mar-a-Lago property in December, during which Bowser said the pair discussed 'shared priorities.' Bowser has not directly addressed Trump's false claims of violent crime rates rising in the city, though she said in February that Washington, D.C. was a 'world-class city' and noted the city holds a AAA bond rating from Moody's and that violent crime was at a 30-year low. Bowser and Trump previously clashed in 2020, when Trump deployed the National Guard to the city as protests enveloped the city and others in the wake of George Floyd's murder. Further Reading Forbes Trump Says Federal Government Should 'Take Over' And Run Washington, D.C. By Siladitya Ray
CBS News
22 minutes ago
- CBS News
Search for new 27th Ward alderman underway following Walter Burnett Jr's resignation
A search is underway for a new alderman to represent the 27th ward. The search comes as Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. resigned after 30 years in office. Mayor Brandon Johnson has created a committee to vet and interview candidates before making a recommendation. Anyone interested in the job needs to have lived in the ward for at least one year. The candidate must also be a public servant who has demonstrated their commitment to their community and be able to passionately advocate on behalf of residents. Interested candidates should submit their resume before Aug. 15.
