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Fully-Funded MEP in FY05?
The roller coaster ride that represents Washington's manufacturing policies and fiscal investments took a turn that was welcomed by MEP supporters when the House subcommittee for Commerce, Justice, and State appropriations last week decided to fund the Manufacturing Extension Partnership at $106 million in fiscal year 2005.
More than two-and-one-half times the Administration's FY 2005 request of $39.6 million, the appropriation would return the program to its FY03 funding level.
The bipartisan outpouring of support for MEP has been substantial since the popular NIST program suffered the 63 percent cut in FY04 -- the result of a bit of budgeting gamesmanship that backfired during the debacle that represented the FY04 appropriations process.
The ride for the 400 MEP centers across the country is not over, however. Senate action is still needed, although the Senate has been in recent years a strong supporter of MEP so it is likely they will join the House at $106 million. However, given that the last two budget battles extended 4-5 months into the fiscal years and that this is a closely contested election year, it is unclear if Congress will in the end pass more than a continuing resolution.
More news on the House subcommittee's actions is available at: http://appropriations.house.gov/