[WEHickok]

At the Great Lakes Regional on Friday, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm (D) made an appearance. For almost two hours she visited with teams and talked to students from both FRC and FLL. She spoke to everyone during a break in the action. At that time she stated that she had placed a $2,000,000 line item in the budget to match funds for new Michigan teams. She wants to have fifty new Michigan teams next year. Her stated goal is every high school in Michigan has access to FIRST.

On Saturday, State Senator Nancy Cassis (R) spoke to the teams. In conversations after her speech she told me that this would not be a political ball. Both side of the isle are in favor of this happening.

So it can happen. Don't be negative about getting money from government. Jobs are an issue for people trying to be re-elected, and education in science and technology is one of the answers to getting jobs...so they are willing to support this if they know about FIRST. Go talk to them. Write to them. Invite them to events. You must make it happen.