Gov. Sanders approves funds to pay salaries for Benton County public defenders [Video]

The governor’s office has approved an additional $1.25 million to fund salaries for Benton County public defenders. This comes as American Rescue Plan funds were running out. According to the Public Defenders Commission, federal funds were depleting. During a legislative council meeting Friday, state lawmakers discussed possible solutions.“Being a public defender is difficult enough. But when you’re having to worry about whether or not you’re going to have a paycheck next month, that’s even more of a challenge,” said Rep. Mark Berry. Gregg Parrish, the executive director of the Public Defender Commission, said a $4.5 million ARP is nearly depleted. The commission received the money from Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to help tackle a backlog of cases due to COVID-19. “We made payroll last night. We do not have sufficient funds remaining from ARP to make the next payroll,” Parrish said. Public defenders are appointed to indigent criminal defendants across …