Mercer Times

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, joined by attorneys general from 15 other states and the Governor of Pennsylvania, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration. The lawsuit aims to restore state access to U.S. Department of Education funds intended to address the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on K-12 students. The lawsuit follows the U.S. Department of Education’s decision, dated March 28, to end state access to grants from the American Rescue Plan Act, which states were initially told they could use through March 2026.

"This rash decision hurts school districts across our state, throwing their budgets into turmoil and hurting their ability to provide the quality education to which students are entitled," stated Attorney General Platkin.

New Jersey stands to lose about $85 million due to this decision. The sudden withdrawal of funds is described as causing significant financial disruptions for school districts, already engaged in projects funded by these grants. "The school districts that received liquidation extensions have created budgets, entered into contracts, purchased raw materials, and developed project plans to conduct infrastructure improvements in compliance with federal program requirements," explained Kevin Dehmer, New Jersey Department of Education Commissioner.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit assert that the abrupt decision to cut funding violates the Administrative Procedure Act. They argue it reverses previous permissions without adequate justification and goes against congressional intent. The lawsuit seeks a court order to prevent the U.S. Department of Education from making such changes without proper procedure.

The coalition pressing the suit comprises the attorneys general from Arizona, California, Delaware, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, the District of Columbia, and the Governor of Pennsylvania.