ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Albany County Executive Dan McCoy held a press conference on Friday to praised the passing of state takeover of funding legal services for the poor.

The legislation requires the state to take over the currently unfunded Mandate of Indigent Legal Defense. McCoy said, currently, there are not enough services available, and he wants more to be done to support them.

“We want the best public defenders in office and all the public defenders to represent the poor people in our community that goes up against a powerhouse,” he said. “The DA does an excellent job. He has excellent staff, but they’re fully resourced. They have the resources and the money to do what they need to do and our public defenders don’t.”

McCoy called the legislation a much needed relief to counties. He said it ensures they’re able to continue to provide legal services to those who can’t afford it.