Michigan Attorney General Secures Agreement for Release of Frozen Education Funding

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has negotiated an agreement with the Trump Administration to release the remaining education funding that was frozen in a multistate lawsuit. This decision comes after Attorney General Nessel joined a coalition of 23 attorneys general and two governors in suing the Trump Administration over its unconstitutional decision to freeze funding for six longstanding programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education. The frozen funding, worth approximately $171 million in Michigan, had jeopardized key programs for after school and summer learning, teacher preparation, and support for students learning English.

Key Takeaways:

• The Trump Administration has agreed to release the full balance of remaining education funding at issue by no later than October 3, 2025, as part of an agreement to dismiss the multistate lawsuit.
• The lawsuit, filed on July 14, argued that the freeze on funding violates federal funding statutes and regulations, federal statutes governing the federal budgeting process, and the constitutional separation of powers doctrine.
• The frozen funding, worth approximately $171 million in Michigan, had jeopardized key programs for after school and summer learning, teacher preparation, and support for students learning English.
• The Trump Administration released the first portion of funding on July 28, but the remaining funding was withheld, prompting the lawsuit.
• Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has stated that the agreement is a victory for Michigan families and a result of the state's commitment to fighting illegal federal actions.

Statistics:

• $171 million: The amount of federal education funding that was frozen in Michigan.
• 23 attorneys general: The number of attorneys general who joined Michigan in suing the Trump Administration over the frozen funding.
• 2 governors: The number of governors who joined Michigan in suing the Trump Administration over the frozen funding.
• July 14: The date on which Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel joined a coalition of other attorneys general and governors in filing a lawsuit against the Trump Administration.
• July 28: The date on which the Trump Administration began releasing previously impounded federal funds for the current federal and education fiscal year.

Sources:

• "Michigan Attorney General Secures Agreement from Trump Administration to Release Remaining Education Funding." Office of the Michigan Attorney General.