"This is a small but significant step in light of anticipated budget cutbacks to the AmeriCorps program," said Senator Collins. "I will continue to fight to ensure more volunteers are able to serve this year and are able to continue to provide critical aid to our communities."
Specifically, the "Strengthen the AmeriCorps Program Act," will adjust current accounting methods used by the AmeriCorps' operating agency, the Corporation for National and Community Service. The change allows the Corporation to fund more volunteers this year than originally anticipated. This would increase Maine's total number of volunteer slots from 10 to at least 20.
Senator Collins recently sent a letter to President Bush expressing her strong support for the program. "I continue to urge President Bush to increase funding for AmeriCorps in order to provide increased opportunities to the thousands of Americas who have answered the call to community service."
Senator Collins also signed a letter being circulated by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) which asks President Bush to include an increase of $200 million for AmeriCorps in any 2003 supplemental spending requests, lift the current 50,000 member enrollment cap on volunteers, and enable the organization to award additional volunteer slots.