Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA) programs were instituted by many states as a method of funding legal services providers.  During a strong economy, these funds generated millions of dollars for local legal aid offices, but over the past year the downturn in the economy has severely depleted these funds.  As a result, legal services providers have smaller budgets and fewer staff to meet the rising demand for legal assistance.  This Daily Times Reader article examines the impact of a 90% cut in IOLTA funding for a Mississippi legal aid.  (continued)