HARRISBURG (Feb. 3, 1999) - Pennsylvania Bar Association President Leslie Miller today released the following statement regarding justice-related items in Gov. Tom Ridge�s state budget:

�We�re pleased that Governor Ridge is supporting efforts to increase access to justice for all Pennsylvanians and to ensure gender and racial equity in the justice system. We applaud his two percent increase in state appropriations for legal services and his appropriation of $400,000 for a new initiative to study race and gender issues in Pennsylvania�s court system. We look forward to working with the governor and the Supreme Court on these and other issues to promote a justice system accessible to all, regardless of income, gender or ethnic background.�