March 7, 2008
Vol. 14. No. 6 |
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In This Issue:
- Minnesota Update: Sex Education Legislation Introduced
- Minnesota Update: Nearly 1 Billion Dollar Deficit, How Will it Affect HIV?
- Announcement: AIDS Action Day Message From Amy Brugh, Public Policy Director
- Resources: Advocates Toolbox Available Online!
Minnesota Update: Sex Education Legislation Introduced
Senator Sandy Pappas (St. Paul—DFL) and Representative Neva Walker (Minneapolis—DFL) have recently introduced sex education legislation in the Minnesota House and Senate. Sex education teaches both abstinence and contraception to reduce the risk of HIV, STIs and unintended pregnancy. This legislation would, for the first time, establish standards for medically accurate, age appropriate sex education in Minnesota.
The Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed, with Minnesota AIDS Project as a leading partner, will be working throughout the legislative session to advance this legislation. The sex education legislation has broad support from both Democrats and Republicans.
Bill Numbers: Senate File 3349 and House File 3731
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Minnesota Update: Nearly Billion Dollar Deficit, How Will it Affect HIV?
You have probably heard the news by now, Minnesota has a nearly billion dollar deficit. Governor Pawlenty and the Legislature will have to balance the budget by the end of the 2008 session. They have two options—raise revenue (taxes) or cut existing funding. The Governor has said he will not support any tax increases. Governor Pawlenty will release his budget recommendation next week. Stay tuned to the HIV Action Network for updates on this process.
The Minnesota AIDS Project will vehemently work to protect existing funds for HIV prevention programs and services for Minnesotans living with HIV.
Announcement: AIDS Action Day Message from Amy Brugh, Public Policy Director
 In my last post, I mentioned that this is my favorite time of the year—the Minnesota Legislature is in session. Well, I suppose that makes my favorite DAY of the year AIDS Action Day.
AIDS Action Day is the Minnesota AIDS Project’s annual lobby day at the Minnesota State Capitol. It’s an opportunity for those of us who care about HIV policy to take over the State Capitol and make sure that our elected officials know how important this issue is to us. I walk the halls of the Capitol every day, but the people legislators really want to see over there is YOU.
This year AIDS Action Day is on Tuesday, March 18.
Our public policy coordinator, Kate Nelson, has the organizing of this day down to a science. She’ll schedule your meetings with your State Senator and Representative, assemble a packet of information for you, give you lunch and some entertainment, and take care of all of the little details that go into making a lobby day work. All you have to do is register and show up!
Sound like something you’d like to do? Visit our Public Policy page at www.mnaidsproject.org/publicpolicy or call Kate at 612-373-9162.
I hope to see you there.
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Resources: Advocates Toolbox Available Online!
How do I write a letter to the Editor? What happens when I meet with my elected officials? Where should I park at the Capitol? What is the State Office Building? These questions can all be answered by using the Advocates Toolbox documents below. Check out the great video on parking at the Capitol, it is very informative.
Advocacy Toolbox
The Senate Media Services has a video about parking at the Capitol.
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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, March 11, 2008
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Content Notice: This site contains HIV
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HIV infection is spread primarily though sexual practices or by sharing
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