By Lilly Rockwell, The News Service of Florida ;TALLAHASSEE - A legislative panel approved a $3.4 million federal grant Wednesday to establish a home visiting program for at-risk mothers, setting the stage for Florida to apply for up to $100 million in a second federal grant for a Race to the Top early learning program.

In a win for Gov. Rick Scott, the joint House and Senate budget committee approved the federal grant despite some resistance from lawmakers who insisted the grant was intrusive, unhelpful and tainted by its association with the federal health care reform act that many Republican lawmakers oppose.

Scott wants Florida to apply for the federal Race to the Top grant for early learning programs. Florida is eligible for up to $100 million that would go toward improving the state's voluntary pre-kindergarten programs.

These Race to the Top grants will be rewarded to states that already have early learning programs, but could use the grant money to better prepare young children for school, especially low-income and disabled children.

Race to the Top pits states against each other in a competition to gain federal funds. But it comes with strings attached in the form of commitments to education reforms designed to improve student achievement. Eligibility for the federal grant hinged upon the state establishing a home visiting program through a federal grant the Legislature had previously rejected, by not including it in the state budget. Scott's lobbying efforts to gain approval for the grant appeared to pay off, though some lawmakers expressed skepticism.

Rep. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, reluctantly voted for the measure after denouncing the federal government's requirement that the grant be in place to receive Race to the Top funds.

"I can't tell you how angry that makes me, that the Feds want to shove this down our throats," Grimsley said during Wednesday's meeting of the Legislative Budget Commission, which gave the OK to taking the money.

Two Republican lawmakers said they could not support the grant, even if it meant risking the state's Race to the Top application. Rep. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, objected to the idea of home visits.

"What I'm not in favor of is having someone funded by the government and showing up in people's homes giving advice and guidance and not providing a tangible service," Negron said.

The home visiting program is designed to target at-risk mothers, such as victims of domestic violence and teen mothers, and help guide them toward services that could help them or their children.

Democrats on the panel spoke in favor of the federal home visiting program.

"I absolutely think this is an incredible opportunity for us," said Sen. Nan Rich, D-Weston. "It's taxpayer money but it's not money from the budget out of the state of Florida." She noted there was no state match required.

Florida will face stiff competition for the grant. Thirty-six states and the District of Columbia have registered their interest in the grants with the federal Department of Education.Applications are due Oct. 19 and the winners will be announced in December. The government will give away a total of $500 million in federal grants, with award amounts between $50 million and $100 million.

Florida previously received $700 million in federal funds under a Race to the Top program aimed at K-12 public schools. Those funds are being used to help pay for the establishment of the new teacher merit pay program.