Competitive grants committee suspends program

A state committee that awards grants to local government and nonprofit groups has suspended giving out new money until the Legislature agrees on new rules for the program.

At stake were 18 grant applications that have been in limbo since questions were raised about the program. Committee chairman Jimmy Bailey said many of these groups likely had been told to expect the money, but that the committee would make a final decision by June 1.

About $22 million remains to be awarded in the grant fund, with an additional $9.3 million included in both the House and Senate budgets.

The committee was concerned that they may not have enough information about applicants to make decisions, and that lawmakers could add new requirements during final negotiations for the state budget.

“I’m really not interested in putting any more air into that balloon,” said committee member James Brown. “I don’t want to approve any more grants until the legislature evolves the process.”

Comments

[Minnie]

These grants should be issued and finished out, because they already gave out alot of the pork barrel money already...now get it to the small towns for stuff thats needed and important other than FESTIVALS!!!! some of these grants are good causes and should be initiated. Cut back pay scales for the state, let them live on what the rest of us do...it's a job, not a position from GOD!