MAP Advocate
January 8, 2008
Vol. 14. No. 1

In This Issue:

1. Federal Update: Washington, D.C., Needle Exchange Ban Lifted
2. Announcement: Attend a Caucus Training on Tuesday, January 29
3. Minnesota Update: Tuesday, February 5 Minnesota Caucuses!!!
4. Minnesota Update: Representative Neva Walker Will Not Run in 2008
5. Announcement: TPT to Air “Sida Sin Miedo—AIDS Without Fear” on January 19
   
   

Federal Update: Washington, D.C., Needle Exchange Ban Lifted

Congress has lifted the ban on needle exchange in Washington, D.C., and President Bush has signed the legislation. This will allow Washington, D.C., for the first time in years, to use their own city money to support syringe exchange programs. This includes both existing and new programs. The city is funding $650,000 for these programs now that the ban has been lifted.

Needle exchange programs have been proven to prevent the spread of HIV among injecting drug users (IDU’s). Minnesota has worked very hard to keep new HIV cases among injeciting drug users very low by providing needle exchange programs. In order to keep this number low and to reduce it even more, Minnesota needs to fully fund needle exchange programs. Watch for legislation in the upcoming session that would do just that.

Click here to read more.

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Announcement: Rock the Caucus Training on Tuesday, January 29

On February 5, Minnesota will hold precinct caucuses all across the state. The caucuses are a very exciting process but can be a little confusing. Come learn what happens at the precinct caucuses, the difference between a primary and a caucus, what a walking sub-caucus is, and how to introduce a resolution. FOOD WILL BE PROVIDED!!!

Rock the Caucus Training—Day Session
Date: Tuesday, January 29
Time: 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where: Minnesota AIDS Project
1400 Park Avenue—Minneapolis
RSVP to Kate.Nelson@mnaidsproject.org

Rock the Caucus Training—Evening Session
Date: Tuesday, January 29
Time: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Minnesota AIDS Project
1400 Park Avenue—Minneapolis
RSVP to Kate.Nelson@mnaidsproject.org

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Minnesota Update: Tuesday, February 5 Minnesota Caucuses!!!

Precinct caucuses are the first step used by Minnesota’s major political parties to select the candidates and issues they will support in the 2008 elections.

The 2008 precinct caucuses are open to the public. Minnesota’s three major political parties are the Democratic-Farmer-Labor, Independence, and Republican parties. The three major parties will hold their precinct caucuses on February 5 at 7 p.m. (locations to be announced). The Independence Party will be holding virtual precinct.

MN Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
www.dfl.org

MN Independence Party
www.mnip.org

MN Republican Party
www.gop-mn.org

Click here for more information on Minnesota’s Caucus system.

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Minnesota Update: Representative Neva Walker Will Not Run in 2008

After four terms in office, Representative Neva Walker (DFL) has decided not to pursue reelection in Minnesota House district 61B. Rep. Walker was the first African American woman elected to the Minnesota Legislature. She has represented a large portion of South Minneapolis since 2000 and has been a huge champion of HIV prevention. In

MAP Advocates meet with Rep. Neva Walkerthe past, she has secured funding for HIV prevention in foreign-born communities and authored comprehensive sex education legislation.

The Minnesota AIDS Project greatly appreciates all of Rep. Walker’s hard work on HIV prevention and wishes her well in her future pursuits.

Click here to read more.

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Announcement: TPT to Air “Sida Sin Miedo—AIDS Without Fear” on January 19

"Sida Sin Miedo – AIDS Without Fear," a program that the Hennepin County Human Services & Public Health Department produced in partnership with Twin Cities Public Television's Minnesota Channel, is being aired on Saturday evening, January 19.

"Sida Sin Miedo – AIDS Without Fear"
Saturday, January 19, 10:30 PM

Watch this program on TPT-Channel 17 on broadcast television, satellite and most cable stations; see Channel 13 on the Comcast Cable system in Minneapolis.

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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

612-373-2437
1-800-248-2437

public.policy@mnaidsproject.org

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Last Updated: Thursday, January 24, 2008
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