LGBT advocates press for reduced funding for HIV/AIDS, youth programs

The House Ways and Means Committee's budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2009 contained no increases for LGBT programs and a small increase for HIV/AIDS services , but advocates spent the past three days working with allies in the House to file amendments that would grant more funding for LGBT youth programs, domestic violence programs, elder services and HIV/AIDS services. It is unclear whether those amendments will pass when the House begins debating the budget the week of April 28. With state revenues down, Ways and Means made more than $100 million in cuts to the FY09 budget, and advocates expect that it will be an uphill battle to squeeze any more money out of the House. Full story...