Bay Area Legal Aid advocates for continued funding amid fiscal crisis challenges

The County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors held a budget hearing on June 9, 2025, focusing on critical funding for legal and public health services amid ongoing fiscal challenges. The meeting featured testimonies from various stakeholders advocating for the preservation of essential services that support vulnerable populations.

Lisa Neustrom, managing attorney at Bay Area Legal Aid, emphasized the importance of legal services in preventing evictions and ensuring access to healthcare benefits like Medi-Cal and CalFresh. She argued that defunding these services would lead to increased reliance on emergency systems, ultimately costing the county more. Neustrom highlighted the role of legal aid in supporting immigration relief and urged the board to maintain funding to help keep safety nets intact for those in need.

Alexis Moody, directing attorney for the children and youth program at the Law Foundation of Silicon Valley, echoed Neustrom's sentiments, stating that the legal services provided are vital for constituents facing crises. She warned that if funding were cut, there would be no alternative providers to fill the gap, leading to a loss of critical support for the community.

Public health nurse Paul Williams shared a poignant account of a recent tragedy at a supportive housing site, where a resident died from an overdose. He stressed the need for dedicated funding to ensure that critical services are not jeopardized in future budget discussions, highlighting the human impact of fiscal decisions.

The meeting also included a range of public comments, some of which expressed concerns about child safety and allegations of abuse within the county. The board reminded attendees that California law restricts the disclosure of specific details regarding child abuse investigations, reaffirming their commitment to addressing such allegations seriously.

As the meeting progressed, the board faced a mix of passionate appeals and challenging discussions about the allocation of resources. The overarching theme was the urgent need to prioritize funding for services that protect the most vulnerable residents of Santa Clara County, ensuring that essential support systems remain intact in the face of budgetary constraints. The board is expected to consider these testimonies as they finalize budget decisions in the coming weeks.