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Following is this month's sample letter on AIDS/HIV.
Alfred Alquist's fax number is 408-286-2338

                                                               June 15, 1994

The Hon. Alfred Alquist
Chair Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee
The California State Legislature
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Senator Alquist:

It may be an old cliche, but in the case of HIV disease/AIDS "an
ounce of prevention (really) is worth a pound of cure." The
Legislature has augmented the Governor's state budget proposals
for HIV prevention education and testing by $5 million. In order
to stem the rising tide of HIV disease, and to save California
money in the long run, these funds must remain in the budget.

Without a cure or viable vaccine, prevention education is the
best tool we have to control the spread of HIV. California
continues to have the highest AIDS incidence rate in the U.S. Yet
prevention education works and is cost effective. The $3 million
added to this year's budget for AIDS prevention education
activities would barely restore us to the 1988_89 level of
funding. Please make sure these funds are included in the budget
which is sent to the Governor for signing.

HIV antibody testing programs are a cornerstone of California's
efforts in controlling the spread of HIV. Demand for testing is
increasing, and in each of the past two years the Governor has
provided midyear emergency augmentation in the amount of $4
million and $3.1 million. Yet the base budget of $8.6 million for
testing has not been increased to reflect this need. We must
increase the budget from the start, rather than planning and then
having to change plans when additional needed money is
appropriated later in the year.

I hope that you recognize the critical importance of these two
budget items, HIV prevention education and testing, and will do
everything in your power to include the $5 million augmentation
in the budget which you send to Governor Wilson.

Very truly yours,