One piece of encouraging news in these very troubling economic times.  Earlier this week, in his final FY 2010 Budget Governor Patrick protected the $9.5 million for the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation (MLAC) that the House and Senate had approved earlier this month.  As you know MLAC is a key source of funding for programs providing civil legal aid throughout Massachusetts.  A great big hat tip to BBA President Kathy Weinman for her unwavering advocacy and to all of you who wrote, called, visited or buttonholed your legislators to make the case for civil legal aid in a very difficult time.  There is still a tremendous gap between the need for legal aid and adequate funding.  But the advocacy of the private bar helped head off a veto that would have hurt at least 4,600 poor people in need of civil legal representation.