AEGiS-BAYW: MassEquality to press for increased LGBT funding

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

MassEquality to press for increased LGBT funding

Bay Windows - February 1, 2008
Ethan Jacobs can be reached at ejacobs@baywindows.com

Gov. Deval Patrick released his budget proposal for fiscal year 2009 (FY09), which included a modest $225,000 increase in funding for HIV/AIDS programs, bringing the total HIV/AIDS line item budget to about $37.2 million. Patrick level-funded all of the LGBT-related programs in the budget, including programs focusing on youth, elders and domestic violence. MassEquality Campaign Director Marc Solomon said with the release of Patrick's budget MassEquality has shifted its focus to the House Ways and Means Committee, which will put forward its own proposal later this spring.

With nationwide concerns about a possible recession Solomon said it will be difficult this budget season to convince lawmakers to increase funding in any area, but Solomon said MassEquality will work to make the case for adding funds to the state's HIV/AIDS and LGBT programs.

"The legislature always reallocates money based on its priorities, and we are going to put forward our best case to get some real increases," said Solomon.

Among its funding priorities MassEquality will be pressing for an increase of $6 million for the HIV/AIDS budget, $2.3 million for youth programs, $400,000 for LGBT domestic violence programs, and $65,000 for the LGBT Aging Project. Solomon said MassEquality and the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus are lobbying Ways and Means, and MassEquality will mobilize its grassroots to do the same. He said regional affiliates in Winthrop and Lowell will meet with House Ways and Means chair Rep. Robert DeLeo and Sen. Ways and Means chair Steven Panagiotakos respectively.

Despite the difficult funding climate Solomon said many of the state-funded LGBT programs rely on so little money that even modest funding increases will help them expand their services.

"Some small amounts of funding will go a long way," said Solomon.

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