Among the health and social services that hang in balance as California lawmakers try to close the state’s $24 billion budget deficit is funding for HIV/AIDS programs. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed an $80 million cut to the Office of AIDS; the Legislature today (Wednesday) is pushing back with $30 million in cuts. Meanwhile, young people are trying to make sense of what it will mean for them and other youth, a population that accounts for about half of all new HIV infections. Youth Radio’s Arai Buendia spoke with two HIV-positive youth – one 14 years old, the other 24 – and asked them how the cuts will impact their lives. This feature comes to you from Public Radio Makers Quest 2.0, an initiative of AIR, the Association of Independents in Radio, Incorporated. This project is made possible with funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. www.beyondtheodds.org