Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

edit: see this post for updates.

I received the following e-mail this morning:

Re: Attn: Michigan Teams
 

I've sent it along. Hopefully we can make a difference.

Re: Attn: Michigan Teams
 

Like wise. My wife and I both fired off emails.

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Got it forwarded from our team server, already sent my email

Re: Attn: Michigan Teams
 

For those who missed it the first time around, here's an article I found the other day that discusses Granholm's proposal:

Re: Attn: Michigan Teams
 

Here's my letter that I sent off. I hope it helps!

Dear Legislators from my District:

I am an engineer at Visteon Corporation and mentor for the FIRST robotics team from the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park. I feel very strongly that FIRST Robotics is making a difference in the future success of our state and our country.

I am giving back to my community because there was no program like this when I was in high school. It is a tremendous opportunity for our children to learn about science and technology. I became an engineer because I was inspired by my father who was an engineer at Ford and because he encouraged me to learn about 'how things work' and 'why is it made that way?'. Many children today may want to learn these things but do not have the opportunity.

I believe that two things are happening simultaneously that are challenging the ability for the people of United States of America to remain the innovators of technology in the world. First, children are inundated constantly by television, the Internet, and media that the greatest role models in life are sports stars and celebrities and becoming one of these should be their goal. Second, the technology in world around us is constantly evolving and becoming more complex even as it improves our quality of life. The FIRST Robotics program addresses both of these issues.

Today's children need to be able to not only use technology but they also need to understand how it works. The students that get involved in FIRST Robotics and similar programs can actually answer the question that all science and math students face at some time, "What good is learning this? When am I ever going to use this stuff anyway?" And they get these answers while they are still in high school. Critical thinking and problem solving are not classes taught in school, they can only be learned by applying knowledge. The students that I work on my FIRST team genuinely look up to me. They are learning concepts and applying knowledge that I was only first exposed to in upper level college courses. They see that a career in engineering is rewarding and being called a 'geek' or 'nerd' can be a compliment!

Please reconsider reinstating Sec 99 (C) of the State School Aid Act. As you are no doubt aware many companies in Michigan are struggling to stay afloat. Many times support of these valuable programs is one of the first items cut because in the companies' budget it is 'low-hanging fruit'. This state funding would be taxpayer money that would be very well spent. Please do the right thing to keep our children ahead of the curve.

Regards,
Patrick Murphy
Product Design Engineer, Visteon Corporation
Mentor, Lighting Robotics, Team #862 - Plymouth-Canton High Schools

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

That's rediculous to pull that out of the budget. In terms of government spending, 2 million is pocket change. They recently spent that on one artificial football field at one local high school here. And I'm willing to bet it won't even last. They are already concerned about cars driving on it, lawn chairs sitting on it, and drinks being held over it. Real grass would never complain about that. And they go and spend 2 million dollars on this thing.

The crazy thing is that you could double the size/impact of FIRST (20,000 more students) for only like 7 million dollars ($6,000 grant to ~1150 teams). And they spend just about 2 million on a single football field. Pathetic.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

Thats ridiculous, something like this is atrocious and shouldn't be stood for, I'm not sure how many people from Michigan are actively on CD, but I'm sure there are enough that if all of them sent emails, they would have to take notice.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

If any of you have the time, especially if you are over 18/a registered voter, give their office a call. Or, convince your parents, if you are able to. You won't reach them, but someone in the office should take your message. I'd think that 10 well-composed, independent phone calls over a two-day period will turn a few more heads than form emails. But if you can't, emails will be better than nothing.

Possible useful things to mention:
1. If you voted for them, say so.
2. State the legislation you want them to support.
3. Why it's important to you and the people (ie voters) you know (your parents?), your community.
4. If you have local sponsors, mention who supports your team, and why.
5. A few brief words about the potential benefits (show that you have some understanding about the bill).
6. Thank them for their time.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

Its on our website. www.team66.com I have already sent my respectable reps an e-mail. We really need to send it like its Spam, and I mean REALLY! ;)

Anyone contact Dean Kamen about this yet?
I talked to him over at Nats and he commented how Michigan was a powerhouse and the possible $2 million. I think he needs to get a hold of the legislature there and give them a few words. :cool:

-Joe

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

For state/local government, $2 million is a lot of money. Local governments get by on what they can, while the federal government not so much.

Plus, what would you rather campaign on, getting the budget in with tax cuts, in with no tax cuts, or in but over? If that $2 million went to balancing the budget or tax cuts, that's money people will see. People don't get "FIRST" and see it's benefits, and most people now want to see instantaneous results, which such headlines as tax cuts and balancing the budget offers.

I'm not defending this at all, I wan $4 million in the budget for FIRST in EVERY state spending bill, but assumptions and hasty comparisons won't help anyone. Football field pay for themselves with tickets and concessions, robots don't.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

As much as I hate to be the one to play devil's advocate, I'm going to.

Those of you who live in Michigan know what the economy is here right now. My father works for GM. I worry every day that when he goes to work, he won't have a job when he comes home. And we aren't the only family living that way. People with 30 years at the same place are getting fired because there's no money.

And we want to put 2 million into robotics teams? Seems a little bit like a trivial matter to me, when there are so many businesses going down the tubes.

Anyone who knows me, or has read my stuff on CD knows how passionate I am about this program, how much I've sacrificed. But in this case, I'm saying no. The house and senate made a choice. I hope that they use the money that would have been used for FIRST to revive these businesses so that we don't have to worry anymore about whether or not we will have a job. Jobs mean money, healthcare and a way of life. Right now, in this state, none of that is safe, no matter how many years you've had with a company, how much education you have or how respectable a company you work for. Frankly, I think money for robotics teams should not be at the top of the money list. We don't need future planning, we need the solve the problems now.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

I understand your POV, but its a bit too late when Granholm was at GLR and announced to everyone there that she would put $2 million in the budget.

Not to be biased or anywhere near negative, but that's just me. Politicians should not announce one thing and then allow another.

And as far as people being fired, I know how it feels to fear it happening. I am quite frankly worried about my dad, who works at a Public Radio Station which is loosing money like crazy. Just today they were told they have to cut 10% of their budget. Hopefully my dad can retire before they fire. So I understand your situation completely.

Just remember, as Red always says on the Red and Green Show, "We are all in this together."

-Joe

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

Hey Joe, I don't mean to fire back, but FIRST is an investment in the future. It will not and doesn't pay off immedietly like a Tax Cut does, but in the long run it will make money. Listen to some of the Key Note speeches they have at regionals and in Atlanta, what FIRST provides to students is an opportunity to look at career paths that they wouldn't of considered otherwise.
/Tangent

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

I don't mean to be harsh to you Beth, I know how much you put into FIRST, but it is exactly that line of reasoning that has GM/Delphi and the rest of the Detroit auto industry in the situation it is currently in. Because of our situation we MUST invest in FIRST. It is the only program I can see that is putting the focus we need on innovation.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

Though I completely agree that the grant is great for FIRST and Michigan, that FIRST is the future, and that it was a bit rotten to pull out on the deal after seemingly being committed, there are certain truths about politics.

FIRST is a theoretical investment. Yes I have seen the numbers, and I have seen that FIRST actually does send more kids to college, but there is no guarantee for politicians or taxpayers that those kids will go on to make back that money in Michigan, or even in America! Politics is very much a today kind of business, and voters footing the bill (mainstream America) are much more content seeing a concrete, current investment of their money, especially when there are other pressing budget issues.

That is why budgets are usually spent in their entirety, with virtually no state savings. People want to only give as much of their money to a fickle government as they have to in order to get along at the moment.
So budgets are tight, and the most pressing issues get paid for. As a few people have brought up, the economic condition in Michigan is not wonderful right now, and likely, thats where the FIRST money has evaporated to. Now, with more people worried about their current lives rather than the impending future, FIRST must be pushed under the table. Unfortunate, but perhaps necessary.

The best thing to do is just what Katie suggested. Communicate with lawmakers that FIRST is a vital and worthy investment. Perhaps Michigan should try to fund less teams at first, like half or a quarter of the remaining schools in Michigan. If anything, FIRST's infrastructure would be better off. Then move into bigger and better things.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

Cite?

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

Oh I know Conor, but to most people, this is spending $2 million on Battlebots instead of extra money in their pocket/school. I agree, it's a great investment, but we have to look at this through different eyes to see why they would can something like this.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

I loved the idea that your governor would be so supportive of FIRST. But given the reality of Michigan's current economic situation, I'm not surprised this would be cut. And if it were approved in the budget, just where would the local school districts come up with the funding to equally match the state grants?

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

I understand and respect your point of view on this matter, however, I feel that FIRST is a worthwhile endeavor within our education system. And its just that which brings me to this: The $2 million is already within the education budget - what they are deciding is how to allocate and make use of these funds. No choices on how to pull money from thin air, or how to sort the general funds - this $2 million is for education.

Yes, I can see it from the eyes of the Michigan business leaders – our economy is in a slump, with seemingly no way to turn out of our dead end. Manufacturing has become a precarious field in these days. It is imperative to find a method to revive the economy and the grow new jobs.

Speaking of our future, winter comes in just 6 months:
CHOICE: Fill those potholes every Michigan winter, or find a better way to build a road

Beth, your last line is one I don't agree with. How can we solve today's problems without planning out the future?

I can fill a pothole every week in winter, each time wondering why I do this continually. Someday, someone will do this job cheaper than me, or hell- someone might just build a robot to do it for me. If we don't keep minds interested in engineering, interested in science, interested in technology, we risk staying the course- a path the economy is on right now.

Look at where we are with the gas crunch- these technology programs for alternative fuel sources took some time to develop after the 70s, and are still being worked on today. What will happen to manufacturing jobs if nothing changes in the work and the same labor is available elsewhere for less? How can we make our labor more valuable, more advanced? Without development into the future, without future plans for what we will do, we might as well stagnate where we stand.

Ford, GM, DCX and other companies 15 years worth of investments in FIRST have helped to show a couple hundred thousands of students the potential in engineering- not just manufacturing, but newer fields in electronics, computer science, and others.

It’s still a draft, their choice is not final yet. The message we are sending them must be loud – FIRST is our life, an educational tool which has developed our passions for engineering and new technologies. It is a marvelous tool.

I too have sacrificed for this program, yet it has benefited me in countless ways. I’m voicing my opinion to them, sharing with our representatives and senators the full potential of FIRST.

Alex Golec

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

While I do hope the teams in MI get money, however people have to realize is that you can't party like its 1999 anymore. You must realize that we are still somewhat in an economic depression.

I don't know about MI current economic status, but here in New England, every state government is pretty much broke. The idea of 2 million dollars for FIRST would be absolutely ludicrous.

But what no one has brought up is the sustainability of having every high school in the state having a FIRST team. Sure you can give money to teams, but without a lot of mentors and other resources, a team wouldn't produce favorable results.

In the world of government you have to start small. And you have to prove that taxpayer money would be worth the endeavor. Maybe ask for 50k, and then maybe it will be a time where 2 million can be set aside for FIRST.

For some of us FIRST is our life, and would like to do anything to advance it. But you also have to look at it from a different point of view from the world of politics where money & accountability is in play.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

For those who don't know (or Haven't read the rest of the thread) Michigan is in Serious financial trouble. We have been cutting things for several years trying to get in the positives.

Few things,
Governor Granholm is an excellent Governor who understands the importance of FIRST. That can be seen with how she went to GLR and has met many different teams throughout the state. She did put the grant in the budget, as she sad she would, she is not to blame it is the senators.

Second,
It is very hard to legitimize $2 million while the schools themselves are struggling to get by. Our state has been cutting money from the education system for a while, and this money could be put into the schools. This money should help our struggling education system.

Finally
This money doesn't directly help our sagging economy which is something Michigan needs. We have been killed by all of the lost jobs, and the stunted development that the auto industry caused (No Offense). We were focused around one main business and now that that is failing, everything is failing. This money could help mend our economy.

I am sad to see this grant be lost, because it would help many new teams and would lessen the competition for sponsorship.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

This is a chart of the Education Aid Proposal, with the recomendations and items passed listed out in an easy to read format:
http://www.house.mi.gov/hfa/PDFs/HB5789%20Dec%20Doc.pdf

The $2 million cut from the FIRST robotics program (Section 99D) is not a "savings" of any sort, it is just now planned to be used for different plans for education (Sections 99D-F)

Alex Golec

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

Done as promised.

That's why we aren't flooding her office with letters. We are flooding the offices of everyone else. :)

And yes... Michigan is in bad shape. It's amazing that an area (SE Michigan) can get so bad so fast. No point in complaining. Just know that you'll have to act appropiately to do the right thing.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

Beth,

While I respect your point, I disagree. We both know that this money is either goign to M-DOT or will be used to reduce our deficit. Both of these things will happen anyways, as they are high priorities, but this is a great way NOW to jumpstart FIRST in Michigan and provide our state with more exceptional engineers and technical expertise. I think that this is a much better return on investment, and have a stamp on my letter that tells them this.

A mere 2 million dollars isn't going to do much for our unemployment, and it certainly isn't going to save jobs. Ms. Granholm has been campaigning to Toyota and Honda, encouraging them to build plants in Michigan as a way to stimulate the job market and to gain more American (or Michigan :rolleyes: ) acceptance of their products. I think this is a much more satisfactory solution than putting the money back into the budget for “unemployment relief”. The state of Michigan cannot create jobs for all of those who have been or may be laid off; it can only encourage businesses and corporations to build on our land by offering them tax incentives.

Politicians have only one job, to try to get re-elected. Think about that. They may have other responsibilities, but that is their “job”. Dollar amounts like this fly to and from the hands of politicians from lobbyists and supporters to encourage certain bills to be pressed through and others to stay back. This kind of money gets thrown around all the time, and now is our chance to get a piece of it for our program.

So, anyone writing letters like I am, I suggest that mention why you think the return on investment is higher for this program than for some other sort of “short-term relief program”. Again, 2,000,000 is chump change compared to our deficit and our near 7% unemployment. Let us make a long term investment for this program, and Michigan will certainly reap the benefits.

-ASM

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

Any mention of FIRST robotics is in section 99D which as far as im aware is still in effect. 99c is just an engineering named fund to increase MEAP math scores

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

Today, I received a response to the email I sent yesterday:

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

I hope that new guy is ready for a flood of phone calls and emails...

Good luck to all of the Michigan teams in getting this amazing pledge reinstated.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

I agree with the person who said that $2,000,000 is pocket change to the government. A single town could give out that much money, never mind an entire state.

My school district (not a rich town nor a poor one) just invested $40,000,000 on a new gymnasium for my school. On top of that a few more million for new classrooms, and busts out a few k for the schools robotics team every year.

My town has a population of 23,852, the entire state of Michigan has a population of 9,938,444. On top of the fact that where my town is situated (Long Island) has some of the highest taxes in the country because of its location.

The fact that giving out this money is even an issue in any government, especially a state government, really makes me scared of what greed can do to people.

There should be absolutely no problem with giving this money to education, but it's all about getting re-elected and keeping yourself in office.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

Well, I guess we'll have to try again when the times are better.
Personally, if I had read this forum first, I might not have sent that letter nor post it on the website nor tell someone to send out a mass mailing. Then again, I would get complaints about why I didn't do that. It is a democracy after all.

But in all honesty, I guess it was the right move. General education needs money more than FIRST. Gotta have a stable base before launching. That is all there is to it.

And yes, I did just flip-flop in a single thread. Oh well, it is the life of a conservative something (still cannot decide: democrat or republican, goobers or raisinets, ...).

:cool:

-Joe

PS: I wonder what Jennifer Granholm is thinking right now. Perhaps she shouldn't have spoken too soon, or what? God only knows.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

The reason you have so much revenue is *because* your taxes are so high. Actually, some of the highest. According to this ('04 report) http://www2.census.gov/govs/state/04rank.pdf , New York has the 4th highest per capita taxes.

New York taxes aside, according to the pdf, Michigan (rounding to account for inflation), has approximately 60-65 billion dollars to spend. Considering 65 billion, thats .003% of the overall budget! Considering that perhaps 30% of all revenue (22 billion)is spent on education, that's almost .01 percent of the education budget! For the people trying to balance the education budget, a cool two million is an enticing place to save other programs.

I also have no doubt that Michigan is afraid to commit to such a large grant. This grant allows the teams money to start up for one year only. Think of all the people (understandably) trying to come back next year and ask again for the same amount or more! Education will not easily give up 2 million of its budget.

Again, the best bet for Michigan is to reduce that grant significantly. 250,000 will give about fourty teams the chance to start up and test the waters. It would even serve as a nice testbed to see if those teams could rope in enough sponsors to continue for the next year. Baby steps are what FIRST needs, not empty promises.

EDIT NOTE: Boy, I messed up! Those revenues are in billions, not millions, making my figures off by a factor of 1000. They should all be fixed now, though I still take the same stand. Michigan, and the teams recieving the grant money, would in the long run be better served by a smaller amount, gradually introducing teams into FIRST. FIRST might not be recieved well when every business in Michigan near a high school becomes swamped with sponsorship requests in one year. I'm sure the 1/4 million can be quite easily secured.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

I think you are off by a factor of 1000 there - Michigan has approx 60-65 billion, not million. (The total amounts are in thousands, not single dollars). That throws your percentages off greatly (by a factor of 1000). Think about how little 60 million is in terms of the money a state would run on for a year, that would be like $6 a person in the state. I pay over 100 times that to the state of Mass in taxes, even though I'm not even a full time resident and only work part time.

Also, the taxes used for his school district expansion likely come from local town dollars (property taxes, etc), which are not represented in your link. (I'm pretty sure thats state taxes only, which likely counts for a small to zero percentage of what is spent on local town buildings). I do, however, agree with your argument vs his (the taxes being high somewhere means there is a lot more to spend on education etc, taxes being high doesn't make it much more expensive to run a town except that you have higher payroll to pay out).

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

I got this message today:

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

It is an issue of short term/long term focus. The American Auto industry continues to think that the main answer to their lack of competitiveness is cost. So they keep cutting back on R&D and market research.

A significant part of our problem is that we are making vehicles that people do not what to purchase as evidenced by the continued loss of market share to companies like Toyota, Honda, and Hyundai who are investing in their futures.

I think that cost cutting is a very dangerous game. It is too easy for us to cut things that are critical to our future because we can't see the immediate benefit.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

I received a copy of the letter Jack Jones sent off to the appropriations committee. It's so fabulous I thought I would share it with you here.


Jack Jones to scotthummel, SenRJelinek, SenACropsey ...

Dear House and Senate Appropriations Committees for Education Members:

I am writing this letter to ask that you please reinstate Sec 99 (C) of the State School Aid Act. The FIRST Robotics program is vital to the growth of the future technological workforce in Michigan. Currently 25% of our high schools participate in the program. Reinstatement of Sec 99 (C) will encourage students from the other 75% of high schools in Michigan to pursue a career related to engineering, science and technology.

I live in Ms. Amos' district (Waterford) and work as a systems research engineer at USA RDECOM/TARDEC in Warren. Over the past three years TARDEC has partnered with FIRST via a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA). The TARDEC-FIRST CRADA's aim is to develop future technologies by mentoring the development of our future technologists; that is, very best and brightest high school students. We have provided mentoring, manufacturing, and mentoring services to a number of local high school FIRST robotics teams.

Waterford has no FIRST robotics program. That 's because no teacher, administrator, or parent has taken it upon themselves to raise the thousands of dollars necessary to start and maintain a team. It would be like asking the coach and players to raise the money for uniforms, equipment, travel, and to rent a stadium before we'd have high school football. So, it's not surprising that Waterford is among the hundreds of districts that has no FIRST robotics teams.

What is surprising is that 125 of our state's high schools do have personnel who've stepped in where the state and our educational system have failed. They continue to do so year after year because they see payoff when the see their students hit the ground running in the pursuit and in the practice of hi-tech careers. Their dedication and persistence serve as testimony to the value of the FIRST robotics program.

In the past two years I've mentored the Birmingham-Groves FIRST robotics team. Due to the dedication of two teachers, Steve Ligget and Jim Crosby, they've been able to stay afloat. While there I noticed that Groves is building a second swimming pool at a cost of $5 million. They are, after all, State Champs in swimming; but, I wonder how many graduates will earn a living or benefit our nation by doing that.

I wonder also about the State's priorities in this global economy where former third world countries are producing engineers at an order of magnitude to that of America. You see, the State of Michigan should should look at FIRST as a case of sink or swim because a failure to embrace the program will keep us in the current mode where we simply swim and sink.

Regards,

Jack Jones (Waterford-Kettering 67')
USA RDECOM/TARDEC
Research Business Group
Special Programs Office

Those of you who took the time to send an email, regardless of whether it was the short letter I provided, or one of your own, THANK YOU. To those of you who haven't it would be great if you could PLEASE TAKE A MINUTE TO DO SO TODAY.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...1008/OPINION01 Paul W. Smith is a FIRST supporter and mentions FIRST in his column in the Detroit News today. I guess he didn't know about the topic of this thread, but some of you MI people might want to let him know...

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

Two current members of 1188 were interviewed by Paul W Smith 2 or 3 years ago when they were on the Dragon Devils FLL team.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

I received this response from Majority Leader, Chris Ward.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

^^ dittos

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

I think you all might be sick of this thread, but I just had to post my latest reply I received (aka today) because it is really encouraging:

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

Keep up the fight, MichaganFIRSTers. The rest of us are watching with great interest. Never forget that $2 million is -- in fact -- play money for the state of Michigan, but it will have a huge multiplier effect in both education in Michigan, and affect state legislators across the country. Thanks for setting the example.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

Agreed... once you guys in Michigan blaze this trail, the rest of us can use you as an example as we talk to our local governments.

Keep up the pressure and continue with the excellent feedback.

Andy

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

Have any of you guys though about assembling a few Michigan teams to head to the offices of those people in charge to talk to them about this addition? Possibly bring robots, awards, people who's lives it's changed (and the media too ;) ).

I agree with Baker (again), keep up the great work, keep up the pressure, and keep updating us!

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

I'm in the same boat as Andy and Rick. You guys are definitly at a key point where if this does go through it can have a domino effect around the country (perhaps even world). I know that Florida is definitly in an education crisis since it's been trying to improve it's low-rated system the past few years and to say to them "Hey, Michigan just pumped $2 million into this great college preparation program..." it definitly helps everybody say "Well, we'll match or beat that to show that our education system is great too." I wish you the best of luck, both for the way it will help future teams in your state as well as hopefully the domino effect it will start.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

- the lead always carries the light in to illuminate the darkness for the rest to follow - lead on - we are right behind you.
Jane

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

you all make me feel so special for being a MI FIRSTer :D

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

I received word that many Lansing legislators have received our emails urging reinstatement of the funding for FIRST. It is vital we keep the pressure on while last minute negotiating takes place.

The latest person we need to contact is Craig DeRoche, Speaker of the House. Please send your emails to him at craigderoche@house.mi.gov, but this is particularly important if you live in his district which includes the following cities:

Novi
Northville
Lyon Twsp
Northville
Novi
Milford

Be sure to include your whole address so he knows you are a constituent.


Craig's contact info is:
District 38
craigderoche@house.mi.gov
Ph: 517.373.0827
Room 166 Capitol Building

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

Just curious, has anything changed over the past few weeks with trying to get this money budgeted back in?

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

Brandon:

For your information, Senator Switalski (Sterling Heights area) and Senator Cassis are already in our camp. In fact, I received an email (June 16th) from Senator Cassis, who is the Vice-chairperson of the Education Committee, and she stated that she be will deliberating with the House on this very issue.

I meet at least once per month with Senator Switalski (my district) and will again discuss this issue at our meeting on August 7th. He is definitely convinced of the value that FIRST has on promoting all the best qualities in high school students.

I don't realistically expect the legislature to find $2,000,000 (per year) for the FIRST program, even though it will pay back Michigan many times over but; I do believe that they will appropriate something much less than that, maybe $250,000 per year to promote the establishment of new teams. After all, this was the initial purpose of the Governor's goal. How many new teams can Michigan realistically establish each year? I think the legislature will fund ONLY new rookie teams for just the registration fee to their initial FIRST Regional. That is my opinion.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

This popped up in my Google alert tonight, "Michigan Governor signs budgets that increase funding for K-12, universities and community colleges
August 15, 2006 -- LANSING – Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed budgets that extend her commitment to investing in our public schools and making education beyond high school accessible and affordable to every student in Michigan. Granholm called the budgets a strong investment in education and the economy...
...Also included in the School Aid budget are $150,000 to expand opportunities for high school students to participate in FIRST Robotics Competitions and $2 million for a new health science middle college program that will allow high school students to earn a diploma and a college certificate or degree in health sciences." http://www.allamericanpatriots.com/m...yid-15913.html

While this may not be the amount you had hoped for, it is still a step in the right direction. Congratulations!

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

It is true. We are busy drafting the grant language which will be similar to NASA. It should be finished soon.

Please get the work out to all of the districts that might want to start new teams. Have them contact me at:
Gail.Alpert@ gmail.com

A HUGE THANK YOU to all that sent letters to your legislators. Our grass roots effort definitely helped.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

Although I'm not a Michigan FIRSTer, I support all of your efforts and admire your perseverance and enthusiasm. All of you are making a tremendous contribution in the efforts to make FIRST heard in our government. Thank you, and keep it up!!!

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

FYI -

The grant process should be in place by next week. They will require an essay, similar to the NASA grant. Teams could apply for both with the same essays. There are 25 grants available at $6,000 for one year only at this point.

The grant covers only rookie teams. So, you MI veterans here on ChiefDelphi need to spread the word to schools without teams - I plan to contact Waterford tomorrow.

There's some kind of fund matching requirement, but as I gather, the match can be made with things of value other than cash, such as materials or mentor's man-hours. You should find that the man-hours alone, when accounted for, will exceed the requirement by at least a factor of ten.

Gail, I'm sure, will be filling in the details soon.

Re: Attn. Michigan Teams: $2,000,000 FIRST Pledge Cancelled
 

I received info about the High School Robotics Grant yesterday. The application and scoring rubric is available at
http://www.michigan.gov/mde-grants under the "What's New" section.

It is primarily for new teams, but they do state that if there are not enough new teams that apply, they will begin to give grants to established teams.

The first application deadline is September 29th 2006!