February 22, 2008 Vol. 14. No. 4

In This Issue:

1. Register for the HIV Action Network Open House and AIDS Action Day!
2. Minnesota Update: The 2008 Legislative Session is in Full Swing
3. Federal Update: NAACP and National Urban League Support Federal Funding for Needle Exchange
   

Register for the HIV Action Network Open House and AIDS Action Day!

HIV Action Network Open House
What is public policy? Why should I care? What can I do? What legislation will be moving this legislative session? Who decides?

These are all great questions and they all have answers. Attend a HIV Action Network open house (day or evening) on Wednesday, February 27 to get the answers to these questions and more. Did we mention the pizza? Lunch/dinner will most definitely be served!!!

Click here to Register for the Day Session!

Click here to Register for the Evening Session!

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AIDS Action Day

AIDS Action Day is on Tuesday, March 18, 2008, at the State Capitol. Come to the Capitol and meet with your elected officials. Take an opportunity to share your story and your concerns with the people who make decisions about HIV policy.

Join a community of HIV advocates from around the state for a day of fun and influence! Come be part of the action!

Click Here to Register!

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Minnesota Update: The 2008 Legislative Session is in Full Swing

By Amy Brugh, MAP Public Policy Director
My favorite time of year has arrived. No, it has nothing to do with any holiday. Nope, it’s not the state fair.
Tuesday, February 12 marked the first day of the Minnesota Legislative Session. Sure, I’m a little bit of a policy wonk, perhaps a bit geeky about it. It’s because I feel so strongly that advocating for smart public policy is one of the best ways to make sure people living with HIV have the services they need, and that new HIV infections are prevented.
Here are some brief highlights of what the Minnesota AIDS Project public policy staff will be working on this year:

• Standards for basic HIV education for the general public in Minnesota
• Sexuality education standards in public schools in Minnesota
• Improvements in the way HIV prevention efforts happen in Minnesota’s corrections system
• Fully funded HIV prevention programs serving injection drug users
• Health care access reforms

Click here to view the 2008 Legislative Agenda.

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Federal Update: NAACP and National Urban League Support Federal Funding for Needle Exchange

On National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, the NAACP and the National Urban League announced their support for federal funding for needle-exchange programs. Click here to read more.

The Minnesota AIDS Project (MAP) supports needle-exchange as a proven effective form of HIV prevention. This year one of the legislative priorities for MAP public policy is to fully fund HIV prevention programs serving injection drug users.

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Visit the HIV Action Network 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 Coalition for Responsible Sex Education .

The HIV Action Network email is published by the Minnesota AIDS Project every week while the Minnesota Legislature is in session, and bi-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 receive the HIV Action Network email, visit our Join the HIV 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: Tuesday, February 26, 2008
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Content Notice: This site contains HIV prevention messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences. Since HIV infection is spread primarily though sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages and programs may address these topics. If you are not seeking such information or materials, please exit this Web site.