HARTFORD, Conn. -- Gov. Jodi Rell signed an executive order on Tuesday to run the state with limited resources until a budget decision is made, but members of the the Connecticut AIDS Resource Coalition said they’re outraged that the executive order doesn’t include services to residents living with HIV and AIDS.

Rell said the order was necessary to keep essential services running until an agreed-upon budget is set.

"First and foremost, people should rest assured that state government will continue to operate: Services will be delivered; we will care for the vulnerable and the sick; public safety and public health will be protected," she said.

But members of the AIDS coalition disagreed with the decision.

"Apparently, that doesn't include people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHWAs) who remain among the most vulnerable and medically and socially fragile people in the state,” said Shawn Lang, the coalition's director of public policy.

Lang said the executive order kills money for HIV prevention programs, Syringe Exchange programs and emergency housing and other supportive services.

Resident Jennie Wakefield said she has learned to cope with her illness, taking nearly 20 pills a day because she's HIV positive. She said her medication can make her feel pretty bad, but that it's keeping her alive.

But because of her illness, she said she had to stop working.

One thing Wakefield said has helped her cope is having a place to call home. Because of her disability, she said, the state pays about half of her rent.

But because the state doesn't have a budget, and not everything is being funded under the executive order, Wakefield said she is losing her rent subsidy.

Without that, she said, she could lose everything.

"These funds pay for services that are not available through any other state service," said the Rev. John Merz, the coalition's executive director. "We're wondering where the governor wants injecting drug users to dispose of their used syringes, or where people who lose their housing due to these cuts should go to sleep tonight?"

Coalition members said AIDS advocates around the state are mounting a campaign to get the funds restored.