Dear Lifelong AIDS Alliance Friends and Supporters,

Wednesday, February 18 was AIDS Awareness and Action Day (A3D), our advocacy day at the state capitol. We were fortunate to have 325 attendees representing 43 of 49 districts across Washington. The purpose of A3D was for participants in our state, both those living with HIV/AIDS and those who aren’t to meet with legislators to discuss the need for continued funding for vital programs.

A3D attendees encouraged their legislators to protect and restore $3 million to the HIV Early Intervention Program (EIP) budget. They also encouraged the preservation of $500,000 thousand for Nutrition Services for 200+ low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap Counties. Moreover, legislators were asked to restore cuts to HIV prevention budgets by opposing the $1.5 million cut in AIDS Omnibus Act funding.

During ceremonies throughout the advocacy day, many political officials joined us with some inspiring and supportive words. Among them were Attorney General Rob McKenna, Representative Marko Liias, Representative Jamie Pederson, Representative Jeannie Darneille, Senator Ed Murray, and City Council Members Sally Clark and Tim Burgess. We are thrilled to have bipartisan support for maintaining and increasing current HIV/AIDS funding in Washington state.

A very special thank you goes out to all the individuals who took the day off of work or school to come down to Olympia and advocate with us. Over the next few weeks, we look forward to seeing how the budget is balanced, and are optimistic that our efforts will be effective in protecting crucial funding for those living with HIV/AIDS.

Thanks,

David Richart