Scott Wants Early Federal Early Learning Funds
Friday, September 2, 2011
By: Lynn Hatter

Sept. 02, 2011 | WMFE - Governor Rick Scott wants the state to apply for a $100 million dollar federal grant to support early learning programs in Florida. But in in order to apply for the federal government's Race to the Top Early Learning Grant, Florida has to accept $3.4 million dollars in federal money sent to the state through the Federal Affordable Care act. Florida is one of the states suing the federal government over provisions in the new health care law.

The governor is urging state officials to accept the money despite rejecting other federal funding under the same law. The Governor’s spokesman Lane Wright explained the idea behind “cherry-picking” federal grants. 
 “It’s important that everyone understands these are not recurring funds and shouldn’t be relied on to create new positions in government or programs.” Wright said.
Wright said the state will accept money for programs already in place, like early learning. But it won’t accept money for programs that would leave the state on the hook when the federal dollars run out.