[Pat McCarthy]

I received this response from Majority Leader, Chris Ward.

Dear Mr. McCarthy,

Thank you for taking the time to write me about Sec 99 (C) of the State School Aid Act. Your opinions are important to me and I appreciate hearing from my constituents.

In the Fiscal Year 2007 School Aid executive budget recommendation, the Governor proposed appropriating $2 million to provide grants for students to participate in robotics competitions (FIRST robotics). This proposed appropriation would be a new appropriation; the current year's budget did not contain this grant program.

Neither the Senate-passed nor House-passed versions of the School Aid budget contained this grant program. Because it wasn't included in either version of the budget, I do not believe that this would be in the School Aid conference report.

The current school budget is already stretched quite thin. While there are a number of worthy causes that could use funding, it is important to ensure that there will be enough money for schools to cover their basic operating expenses.

We are still in the early stages of the budget process and I will continue to monitor negotiations. In the meantime, please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns.

Sincerely,
CHRIS WARD
Majority Floor Leader
State Representative
66th District