Defender General outlines staffing, caseload and budget pressures as FY26 request emphasizes maintenance of current services

Defender General Matthew, accompanied by financial director Katrina Lumbra, told the House Appropriations Committee that the Defender General—s Office (DGO) is constitutionally required to provide public defense and is seeking a FY26 budget that preserves current staffing, contracts and services.

The presentation centered on why the office asked mainly for a current-service-level budget rather than new programs, and on cost pressures that are outpacing modest increases.

The DGO director said the office represents more than 90% of criminal defendants who have counsel, and nearly all juvenile respondents. He described a separate prisoners— rights unit that investigates deaths and conditions of confinement and said that unit—s statutory investigative authority allows it to obtain records without subpoenas. "The DG's office is constitutionally mandated," he said, adding that the prisoners— rights work is "very important" but a smaller portion of the caseload.

Why it matters: the office is juggling rapid post-pandemic caseload growth, rising vendor and expert rates, and statewide shortages of criminal lawyers. Those pressures affect how much of the office—s requested increases must be directed to contracted counsel, travel and other personal services the office cannot defer.

Key budget and operational points

- Governor—s recommendation: The governor—s recommended budget largely provides current-service funding, including salary rollouts, contract increases for primary public defense offices and support for the office—s…