Massachusetts lawmakers passed a funding bill that includes a pay raise for public defenders as part of an effort to end a legal crisis.

A group of advocates gathered at the State House Thursday to protest the deal, which they say, was constructed in a back room without their input.

From Oregon to Massachusetts, states are struggling to maintain a roster of attorneys to take on public defense cases. The number of cases is rising while more attorneys are balking at what they say are low rates of pay to do the work.