Explanation:
(This amendment requests general funds to increase the salaries and provide retirement benefits for staff at the Legal Services Corporation of Virginia (LSCV). The funding would enable the LSCV to increase its starting salary for attorneys from $35,000 to $48,000, the same starting salary offered for public defender's offices, and to provide a similar percentage increase to current staff. The estimated cost of the salary adjustment is $1,863,807 general fund each year of the biennium. In addition, the amendment requests funding of $818,940 in general funds each year to provide a six percent employer contribution for a privately managed retirement fund. The LSCV is now preparing to contract with a privately managed retirement fund to provide a 403(b) plan for legal aid employees.) |