MADISON, Wis. -- A powerful Democratic Wisconsin state lawmaker sent U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan a letter outlining concerns he has with the Race to the Top education stimulus program.

Budget committee co-chairman Sen. Mark Miller of Monona asked Duncan in the letter dated Tuesday to provide additional information about the $4.5 billion program.

Wisconsin and a number of other states are passing and considering law changes to compete for Race to the Top grants.

But Miller said he is concerned about making changes that will commit Wisconsin to spending more money with no assurances from the federal government about how much may be coming in grants.

Duncan is scheduled to be in Madison on Wednesday with President Barack Obama for a speech on education reform.