NLADA reports: "NLADA has been working with supporters in its grassroots network and with its allies at the National Association of Legal Services Workers (NOLSW/UAW) and the American Bar Association in an effort to include $30 million of foreclosure-related legal assistance in the ongoing economic stimulus debate. Senator Casey (D-PA), joined by Senators Dodd (D-CT), Harkin (D-IA), Leahy (D-VT), Kerry (D- MA), Schumer [D-NY] and Specter (R-PA) attempted to amend the Senate version of the stimulus package to set-aside legal aid resources from money originally allocated to the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). The funding would have been available to both LSC and non-LSC funded legal aid providers. Unfortunately, the entire NSP funding was stripped from the Senate bill, thus removing the planned vehicle for the legal aid amendment. And the entire $2.25 billion in funding for the NSP was zeroed out in the Senate compromise. With that action, the Casey amendment could not be attached to the Senate package that was approved with 61 votes in a final floor vote on February 10th. NLADA, NOLSW and the ABA engaged in a significant lobbying campaign aimed at including the Casey language in the conference report being voted on February 13th in both houses of Congress. However, given the enormous issues at stake in the conference, the legal aid amendment was not added to the final language, even though funding for NSP was restored in the final bill. While NLADA is disappointed in this outcome, we remain very committed to convincing Congress of the critical role played by legal aid programs in ensuring family and economic stability and in providing viable options to stem the tide of foreclosures. A number of other measures will be considered during this session of Congress to address the economic and foreclosure problems. NLADA believes the enormous educational effort waged around the Casey amendment will pay dividends during future debates."