Time is running out to make a decision on the future of state funding for low-income families to send their children to private schools.

On Tuesday, Governor Wes Moore’s proposal to cut $2 million from the BOOST Program came up during a conference committee for the state budget. The committee didn’t come to a decision, but session is coming to a close soon.

Many are against making cuts to the BOOST Program and are now calling on lawmakers to make sure the governor’s proposal doesn’t go through.

Rabbi Ariel, Sadwin, Executive Director of Agudath Israel of Maryland, says, “To cut a program like that would be devastating.”

The BOOST Program provides scholarships to low-income families to send their children to private or parochial schools. There are currently about 3,200 scholarship recipients in the state.

“In today’s day and age children deserve as many options as they can to succeed and have a productive life,” said Rabbi Sadwin.

Rabbi Sadwin has joined hundreds across the state hoping to convince lawmakers of the importance of the program. On Tuesday, he sent a letter to his constituents frustrated with Annapolis.

This comes after Governor Moore is proposing to cut $2 million in funding from the programs overall $10 million, the first step in a plan to phase out the program.

“We’re meeting with legislators who have usually been unsupportive of the program to try and convince them to understand the virtues of the program,” said Rabbi Sadwin.

Several lawmakers including Democratic Senate President Bill Ferguson support funding BOOST.

“In the nearly $7.5 billion we spend on public education, $10 million on the Boost Program doesn’t seem like a lot,” said Senate President Ferguson. “I think there’s reason to think that we can do both and not just either or.”

Governor Moore says he doesn’t want to see public dollars go to private schools. However, Baltimore Pastor PM Smith says it’s important to note that the governor attended private school himself.

“Why deny inner city young people the same opportunity that he had,” said Pastor Smith.

Critics argue public funds go to private endeavors all the time, like housing vouchers and sports teams.

“People who are recipients of public dollars are using it for a host of private purposes,” said Rabbi Sadwin. “An opportunity like this, to take a small amount of public dollars and use it for private education, to give kids an opportunity so they can be on a positive trajectory in their lives, there’s no better investment than that.”

Fox 45 News reached out to Governor Moore on BOOST and his office sent this statement:

“Governor Moore’s biggest priority is creating a Maryland that leaves no one behind, and he’s working toward that goal by proposing record-breaking investments in education across the state.

The governor has made it clear that public schools are a priority by investing a record $8.8 billion investment in K-12 education for Maryland public schools, a record $393 million for Maryland’s 15 local community colleges, $421 million in state support for Maryland’s historically black colleges and universities, and a record $112 million for the Educational Excellence Awards program, the state's largest need-based student aid program, which is projected to serve more than 30,000 students in FY 2024.

The Governor is going to fund Maryland’s public schools, help its educators, and give its students the resources they need to succeed.”