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VOLUME TEN, NO. 22—October 23, 1997—November 5, 1997—Issue 242 Give the People Light and they will find their own way. V The Wisconsin Light AIDS Resource Thompson Center of WI Rescues Maintains Unblemished Critical Federal AIDS Support of State AIDS Housing Funds Funding Milwaukee—Reminiscent of the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin's (ARCW) Madison—The State of Wisconsin has finally adopted its 1997- long struggle for equity in national AIDS 1999 State Budget, and AIDS advocates throughout Wisconsin are funding, its political advocacy has struck praising the increased State commitment to AIDS. again in Washington, DC, this time to "Governor Thompson has just signed one of the most powerful save the homes of hundreds of people pieces of AIDS legislation ever in the State of Wisconsin," said an living with HIV and AIDS outside of the elated Doug Nelson, executive director of the AIDS Resource Center metropolitan Milwaukee area. of Wisconsin (ARCW), upon learning of the Governor's support of ARCW's aggressive advocacy work in AIDS funding in the budget. conjunction with Rep. David Obeys and • "The powerful combination of expanded access to health care in- Sen. Herb Kohl's leadership in Washing- cluding AIDS medications along with increased funding for commu- ton lead to amending the Housing Op- nity-based AIDS services clearly demonstrates the Governor's com- portunities for People With AIDS mitment to expanding the State's partnership with us in the fight (HOPWA) program thus resurrecting against AIDS," Nelson said. HOPWA funding for people with HIV "We thank Governor Thompson for providing important leader- and AIDS in 68 counties across Wiscon- ship in funding programs for those living with HIV and AIDS. sin. Community-based services and programs are critical to addressing "All of sudden, the federal government the ever-changing needs of those impacted or affected by HIV. I am was going to deny housing assistance to encouraged that we have a Governor who recognizes this. His actions nearly half the people with HIV and AIDS demonstrate compassion and an understanding that funding early in- tervention and drug in Wisconsin. It was a terrible federal ti reimbursement programs is a responsible use of AIDS policy with grave consequences in the citizens' resources and an example of good stewardship," said Wisconsin that had to be changed," said Brother Stephen Braddock, executive director of St. Camillus ARCW Executive Director Doug Nelson. HIV/AIDS Ministry. Due to an anomaly in the HOPWA Governor Tommy Thomspon supported all AIDS funding pro- authorizing language, the State of Wis- posed in the State Legislature's version of the 1997-1999 State consin's 1997 grant of $669,000 was Budget by signing the long overdue budget at the Executive Mansion scheduled to be eliminated and replaced on October 11, 1997. with a Metropolitan Milwaukee-only The prolonged budget debate on AIDS funding, as reported previ- grant of $400,000 in 1998. ously in The Wisconsin Light, focused on the State's historic Life "Other than Milwaukee, funding to all Care Services/Early Intervention Grant which funds community- areas of the state was literally on the brink based AIDS services throughout Wisconsin. Early on in the budget of extinction, which would have left hun- Ma. process, the Joint Committee on Finance voted 13-3 in favor of add- dreds of people living with HIV and mg $500,000 in funding for this grant to the 1997-1999 budget. AIDS homeless," said ARCW Director of These funds were urgently needed to met the needs .of the highest Public Policy Mike Gifford. ever AIDS caseloads m Wisconsin and provide services necessary to The ARCW led advocacy effort re- maintain rigorous new AIDS drug therapies. After the Joint Finance sulted in legislative changes to HOPWA vote, Rep. Glenn Grothman(R-West Bend) unsuccessfully attempted to that have now been adopted by Congress Second Childhood? - Birthday boy Tommy Salzsieder enjoys his "walker" delete this funding in the Assembly Republican caucus. Groth- and are awaiting final approval by the given to him by his friends at bis 60th Birthday party held at Milwaukee's Ball man's efforts failed on a 44 to 8 vote. President. The advocacy triumphed in res- Game bar on Saturday October 18. The increase in the Life Care Grant cuing dollars for AIDS housing services then went unchallenged until the budget in Madison, Green Bay, Eau Claire, La- Citizen Panel Member Hits Watered-Down landed on Governor Thompson's desk. Crosse and Wausau. "We have been told there was some Statewide HOPWA funds are used to Wording in State AIDS Plan attention paid to the increase during the and Governor's review of the budget, but with provide direct rental, security deposit Pre- utility assistance and for people with HIV Madison—A community council has Members of the Wisconsin HIV hundreds and hundreds of calls coming in or AIDS. HOPWA funds are also used to backed state revisions of an AIDS pre- vention Community Planning Council to his office from throughout Wisconsin, assist clients in accessing housing through vention plan for Wisconsin rather than spent more sthan three hours in an emer- the Governor made the sound decision referrals and to support the operations of risk a delay of funding over its toned- gency meeting that was sometimes emo- and supported the increased funding," said AIDS-dedicated housing facilities in down language. tional, occasionally angry and finally Mike Gifford, ARCW's director of public 'This is a pansy statement. It's a cop- pragmatic. policy. Madison and Milwaukee. they "There are profound housing needs in out," council member Dawn Wolff said in The changes in the document "While we are excited the Governor has for people with objecting to the state changes in the 216- crafted and the ensuing debate threatened signed an historic budget which provides every part of Wisconsin jeopardize a $2.36 million federal grant HIV and AIDS. I am relieved that ARCW page plan. "It's just trying to pacify peo- to unprecedented levels of support of indi- for the ple who are homophobic." that pays for nearly all AIDS prevention viduals living with HIV and AIDS, we are was able to preserve this funding Wisconsin. A part of the plan clients we serve in Northern and Western John Chapin, deputy administrator of programs in not terribly surprised. Governor Thomp- ARCW Regional Di- the state Division of Health, disagreed. was submitted with the grant application. son has a flawless record when it comes to Wisconsin," said council decision against supporting rector Jamie Sorenson in Eau Claire. " State agencies live in a political reality A helping our citizens living with AIDS, and focused where they have to get broad consensus the state application would surely delay we look forward to his continued leader- "ARCW advocacy on this issue the federal grant, on the needs of people with HIV and from people," Chapin told the council late and possibly endanger ship in this area," said Scott Evertz, leg- in the first week of October. state officials said. islative director of Log Cabin Republicans AIDS outside of Wisconsin. As the num- pretty high here," ber of clients we serve increases, the suc- Language changes transformed "men "The stakes are of Wisconsin. who have sex with men" to "diverse Chapin said. "What is so important for the A trig cess of this advocacy will mean services populations" in some sections, although In a series of votes, each with the same community to remember after this pro- and financial assistance get out to people not in others. "Sexuality education" be- lone dissenter, the council decided to con- longed budget effort is the bipartisan with HIV and AIDS in Northeastern Wis- came "HIV prevention programs." cur with the state's inant annlication. commitment to HIV and AIDS issues. consin," said Stan Kocos, ARCW regional Please See State Page 31 Please See Wisconsin Page 31 director in Green Bay. " Anti-bias interventions" became awareness initiatives." Log Cabin Hails Selection of Rep. Scott A Spectacular Night Planned for Attendees Jensen as Assembly Speaker of Sun. Nov. 9th "A Decade of Light" Gala the board income tax Milwaukee—An exciting night of dinner, dancing and entertainment has been Madison— Rep. Scott Jensen (R- eluding a 5% across celebration, "A Decade of Waukesha) was elected Speaker of the cut which gained Assembly Republican planned for Wisconsin Light's ten year anniversary eventually was reduced to Light" on Sunday, November 9. The newly remodeled Milwaukee Hilton with its Wisconsin Assembly on October 15 by a approval but evening vote of 38-13 in the Republican caucus. 1% as a result of the intransigence of the classic charm and Gilded Age elegance will set the ambiance for a gracious Jensen will replace Rep. Ben Brancel (R- State Senate Democrats. where dreams are born in gaslight and shadows. Endeavor), who was chosen by Governor At the same time, Jensen continued to Attendees will meet Gay political activist and author David Mixner, who contrib- Tommy Thompson to be Secretary of Ag- prove that he understands the needs of the uted mightily to the election of his friend, Bill Clinton as President of the United riculture. The vote comes ten months af- citizens of Wisconsin. States. In recent years, Mixner has worked to raise money for the National Holocaust ter Jensen was edged out by Brancel by Jensen was instrumental in supporting a Museum in Washington to help expand its exhibits detailing the slaughter of Gay one vote for the Speakership after seven significant increase in the Life Care people by the Nazis. ballots resulting in a tie.

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