A planning process was developed and participants were asked to develop a state plan to create a comprehensive, integrated statewide delivery system. Meetings occurred throughout 1998 and 1999. Planning in Texas has been a good thing. Those of us who provide civil legal services for the poor have been forced to examine a number of complex and harsh issues. However, Texas has the second highest state-wide poverty population of any state in the country, with a poverty population of 3,515,000 according to 1990 census data.
Many gaps exist in developing a comprehensive, integrated statewide delivery system in Texas.
A lack of adequate funding prevents many poor people in Texas from receiving the access to the justice system that the poor in other, better funded states enjoy. In addition, many poor people in Texas are under represented, in that they receive advice from a legal services provider when they would in fact prefer to receive representation on a legal matter. The fundamental purpose of a state civil legal assistance system is to enable low-income persons to address their unmet needs effectively. Many low-income persons do not recognize that they have a need that could be addressed through the legal system. Recognize their legal rights and responsibilities and unmet legal needs, 2.