Excellent news from Washington today. The House of Representatives passed a bill that would provide for loan repayment for public defenders and prosecutors.

The bill, estimated to cost some $25 million a year, passed 341-73. A similar measure has been introduced in the Senate. House sponsor David Scott, D-Ga., said the bill would help counter high turnover in public defender and prosecutor offices across the country.

The bill would provide loan repayments of up to $10,000 per year – up to a cap of $60,000 – for law school graduates who work as criminal prosecutors or public defenders instead of taking what are often more lucrative jobs at private firms. The measure, which would expire in 2013 unless reauthorized, has backing from the American Bar Association and other legal groups.

Absolutely fantastic. C’mon Senate. Pass this bill!

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