There are a number of problems. As we stated earlier, the fiscal year began on April 1st. With a little luck, we will know by July how much we will be receiving. Last year, we were told in August. That means that we are already four or five months into the fiscal year. We are given an advance representing a meager 25% of the previous year's funding on April 1st, so that we can continue to operate. We make do with very little. Often, we lay people off for the summer while waiting to see what will happen. The current year's funding is provided to us in August. That is five months after the year has begun. We often receive funding in February for individual projects. The money arrives in February for a project that was supposed to begin the previous September, and which must end by March 31st. We let everybody go because we have no money to pay them, then suddenly the funding arrives. We scramble to find our employees, and many are no longer available because they have found other employment.
On May 1st, 2008. See this statement in context.