Over 60 organizations have urged New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state Legislature to include $4 million in the fiscal year 2027 budget to expand the Higher Education Services Corporation and District Attorney and Indigent Legal Services Attorney Loan Forgiveness programs. The proposal would increase annual loan assistance for public interest attorneys to $8,000 for up to eight years, allowing recipients to receive as much as $64,000. The current cap has not kept pace with law school debt, with lawyers graduating with an average of $130,000 in student loans. State Sen. Jessica Ramos said financial pressure is forcing lawyers to leave public service due to student debt. The expansion would help stabilize the workforce in courts across the state.