Subject: HIV ALERT: CA's AIDS BUDGET IN JEOPARDY
From: Laurie McBride <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 30 Jul 1997 21:17:17

For Immediate Release July 30, 1997
Contact:  Laurie McBride
LIFE: California's LGBT and HIV/AIDS Lobby

What's at stake:

$12.9 million augmentation for AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)
$  1.6 million for HIV/AIDS prevention activities
$  1.6 million for anonymous HIV testing and counseling in family                          planning clinics
$  3.8 million for viral load testing

All these budget items had been agreed upon by both the State Assembly and the State Senate.  But in the last few days Governor Wilson threw down the "budget gauntlet" and announced a proposal to repay $1.3 BILLION to the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) in one lump sum.  Now.  From California's General Fund.  [Originally Wilson was negotiating to pay this court-ordered settlement back over several years.]

Paying it back lump sum means that ALL budget items are on the chopping block.  At this point we are not sure what cuts are being proposed...  nor even who will make the decision.  But we do know that the decision will be made in the next 3 to 7 days or so.

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?  Wilson is in the middle of two critical negotiations.  

     ONE:  The BUDGET BATTLE between Wilson and the Democrat-controlled state legislature.  Wilson wants a state income tax cut, the legislators want to shore up existing programs and create vital new programs.

     TWO:  THE PERS REPAYMENT PLAN... Wilson is negotiating the terms of the settlement with PERS.  He is rejecting a multi-year payback because PERS officials want to tie that to increased benefits for state employees.  

IN SPEAKING TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE THIS AFTERNOON, his spokesman says there is currently no plan to "tinker" with the health budget.  But he admitted that could change in a flash.  

WHAT YOU CAN DO:  For now, let Governor Wilson know the simple truth.  He may be acting out of frustration with budget neogotiations.  But our lives are at stake.

Tell Governor Wilson that jeopardizing people's lives, jeopardizing their health care is not the way to build a budget solution in California.  At stake are not only AIDS funding, but all of California's health care funding.

Call Governor Wilson at:  916 445-2841
Fax Governor Wilson at:  916 445-4633

email Governor Wilson at:  [email-masked]

As we know more we will suggest messages to the other players in California's budget drama.  

--  we'll keep you posted as this issue and our strategies develop  ----