Locke’s Proposed Budget Cuts Worry Aids Activists

Fri., March 21, 1997

Associated Press

Calling it a matter of life and death, AIDS activists are asking Gov. Gary Locke to reconsider a plan to cut funding for a program that helps identify pregnant women with HIV.

The Northwest AIDS Foundation held a news conference Thursday to draw attention to the proposal in the governor’s $19 billion budget.

Locke’s spending plan, which was submitted to the Legislature earlier this month, would cut the budget for the AIDS Pediatric Services program by $235,000. That would represent the entire state contribution to the $469,000 program, which also receives federal funding.

Steven Johnson, the foundation’s public policy director, said the proposed cut would eliminate jobs at perinatal centers in Seattle, Tacoma, Yakima and Spokane.

Locke officials defended the budget, saying they’re hopeful the federal government would make up for the state’s cut.

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