Matt Burckhalter, vice president of Dallas Stonewall Young Democrats, sends along word tonight that the City Council will hear public testimony Wednesday on a proposal to cut $325,000 for HIV/AIDS services in this year’s budget. Burckhalter said DYSD President Travis Gasper will be among those testifying against the cuts. The $325,000 represents all of the money the city currently spends from its general fund on HIV/AIDS services. However, facing a $190 million budget shortfall, city officials have indicated there’s little chance the monies will be reinstated into the budget this year. The budget hearing tomorrow is at 1 p.m. in Council Chambers, City Hall, 1500 Marilla.
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2 Comments
This is terrible news, but I think with the right amount of activism and community organization, we can find ways to make up most of that money next year. How much money do DIFFA and Black Tie raise every year for HIV/AIDS? Would it be fair to ask everyone to give a little more next year to make up for this, or to redistribute funds to more critical services like this rather than non-critical services?
Thank you John for posting this entry!
I’m currently sitting in the Dallas City Council Chambers. Phyllis Guest and Travis Gasper just finished speaking in support of restoring HIV/AIDS services.
We are focused at this time on restoring the $325,000 city funding. We are lobbying other government bodies to hopefully replace the funding, but with the current economic situation it may be difficult.
We can still restore the city of Dallas funding, but we need everyones help. If you go to the Dallas Stonewall Young Democrats Web site you can find more information on the issue and learn how you can contact the city council and ask for this funding to be restored. Understand that this funding represents EVERY DIME the city of Dallas spends on HIV/AIDS education and prevention.
Hope is not lost.
I know the city budget doesn’t make for the most compelling news story, but this funding will impact more than 20,000 local residents who rely on these services – all at a time when HIV cases are on the rise here in Dallas.
There couldn’t be a worse time to cut this funding.
Once again, PLEASE contact the city council. Email is probably the most effective method and the DSYD Web site has the information here: https://www.dallasstonewallyd.org (The same link John included above.)
Thank you to everyone who joins us in this effort. Every voice is vital to saving these programs.
Best Regards,
Matt Burckhalter
Vice President, Dallas Stonewall Young Democrats
Treasurer, Texas Young Democrats
Board Member, Texas Stonewall Democratic Caucus