MAP Advocate
May 30, 2007
Vol. 13. No. 19
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In This Issue:
- Minnesota Update: 2007 Legislative Session Summary
- Announcement: Legislative Debrief on Tuesday, June 5 at MAP
- Announcement: Allan Spear Forum Featuring Gil Robertson on June 19
- Announcement: Free Screening of Documentary “Sex Ed and the State” on June 7
Minnesota Update: 2007 Legislative Session Summary
MAP Advances Proactive Legislative Agenda
At the beginning of the 2007 Legislative Session, The Minnesota AIDS Project set out to advance a proactive legislative agenda, with a particular focus on HIV prevention. MAP worked with supportive legislators to introduce legislation to fund the MAP AIDSLine, to fund HIV prevention efforts in immigrant communities, and in partnership with the Sex Ed for Life coalition, to establish standards around comprehensive sexuality education. The results of the legislative session include both success and defeat. See below for the outcomes of each of these legislative initiatives.
Legislature Funds MAP AIDSLine, but Governor Vetoes
Funding for the MAP AIDSLine was included in the final Health and Human Services funding bill at $80,000 per year. Unfortunately, this provision was line item vetoed by Governor Pawlenty. The Minnesota AIDS Project will continue to seek out ways to fund this vital service, as it is critical to the infrastructure in Minnesota for HIV prevention and services. Many legislators deserve to be thanked for their steadfast work in moving the AIDSLine funding through the legislative process, including bill authors Sen. Scott Dibble and Rep. Jim Davnie and Health Committee chairs Sen. Linda Berglin and Rep. Karen Clark.
HIV Prevention Efforts for Foreign Born Communities Funded
In the same Health and Human Services funding bill, $250,000 in one-time funds was appropriated for targeted HIV prevention education in Foreign-born immigrant communities. These funds will be administered by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) for future community programs. In particular, Rep. Neva Walker championed this legislation and ensured that it was a part of the final health bill.
Comprehensive Sexuality Education ALMOST Passes
The comprehensive sexuality education bill made it farther than it ever has before through the legislative process, but unfortunately once again fell short of being signed into law. The comp sex ed language passed off both the House and Senate floors and was included in the overall Education bill. The Education bill was prepared to go to the Senate floor for final passage with the comp sex ed language included, but it was removed in the final moments after Governor Tim Pawlenty signaled his opposition to comp sex ed. Again, legislators who championed this issue deserve our thanks. Rep. Neva Walker and Sen. Sandy Pappas authored the bill and made sure that comp sex ed passed the floor votes of the House and the Senate. Rep. Mindy Greiling and Rep. Carlos Mariani in the House and Sen. Tarryl Clark in the Senate deserve thanks for including the provision in the Education omnibus bill.
The Work is Never Done!
Stay tuned to the MAP Advocate to learn more about ways to stay involved with MAP Public Policy over the summer and fall. We’ll be organizing constituents who care about HIV, talking with elected officials, and developing our legislative agenda for 2008.
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Announcement: Legislative Debrief on Tuesday, June 5 at MAP
The 2007 Legislative session has officially ended. In this week's edition of the MAP Advocate we summarized what happened with MAP’s Legislative Action agenda. Do you want to delve deeper into what happened at the Capitol and find out how you can stay involved over the summer? Come to a Legislative Debrief on Tuesday, June 5 to hear all the dirty details.
Legislative Debrief--Day Session
Date: Tuesday, June 5
Time: 12 to 1:00 p.m.
Location: Minnesota AIDS Project
Legislative Debrief--Evening Session
Date: Tuesday, June 5
Time: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Minnesota AIDS Project
*Please RSVP to kate.nelson@mnaidsproject.org or call 612-373-9162.
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Announcement: Allan Spear Forum Featuring Gil Robertson on June 19
Enjoy a rare Twin Cities appearance by acclaimed African American author/journalist, Gil Robertson IV, whose most recent work, Not in My Family: AIDS in the African-American Community, provides a forum for Black America to speak for itself in the fight against HIV.
Gil Robertson IV, African American Author/Journalist
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Reception at 5 p.m.
Program at 6 p.m.
Sabathani Community Center
310 E 38th St, Minneapolis
Click Here for More Information.
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Announcement: Free Screening of Documentary “Sex Ed and the State” on June 7
When a bill is supported by strong research, a Surgeon General's report, and an overwhelming majority of Americans - what happens when it's introduced in the Minnesota State legislature?
"Sex Ed and the State" is a documentary about comprehensive sexuality education in public schools. Minnesota lawmakers give interviews, along with advocates, opponents, educators, and other stakeholders in the debate over the best strategy to fight adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
The film will show at the Oak St Cinema June 7 at 7:00 pm.
Click Here for More Information.
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Visit
the MAP Advocate archive to see what you missed.
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For more information
about what's of interest to you at the Minnesota State Capitol, visit
the Web sites of our allies at OutFront
Minnesota and Sex
Ed for Life.
MAP Advocate is published by
the Minnesota AIDS Project every two weeks while the Minnesota Legislature
is in session, and monthly during the rest of the year. It isavailable
through the MAP web site mnaidsproject.org and
through email list service. If you wish to order the MAP Advocate, visit
our Join the Public Policy Action Network page, or
contact MAP Public Policy by phone or email.
MAP Public Policy
Minnesota AIDS Project
1400 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-341-2060
800-373-2437
public.policy@mnaidsproject.org
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Last Updated:
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
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