(The Center Square) – As blue states band together to push back on the sweeping changes put into effect by the Trump administration, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has found himself acting alone on behalf of a divided government.
Last week, the governor joined his third lawsuit against a federal agency in his official capacity as the governor of the commonwealth. This time, it’s among 15 states and Washington D.C. against the Department of Education and Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
The complaint states that the agency revoked $185 million in federal funding for the state’s education system. The money was made available through an extension of Covid-era funding aimed at helping schools recuperate from the staggering learning loss caused by the pandemic, an issue that persists to this day.
“Congress and the federal government made a commitment to our students, and school districts across Pennsylvania started construction to make schools safer, delivered supplies to students, and invested to create more opportunity for our kids based on that commitment,” said Shapiro.
The abrupt change of course pulled money some schools had already dedicated toward infrastructure and other improvements. The funds were promised through March of 2026 when the federal government granted the extension.
For Republican Attorney General Dave Sunday, however, suing the federal government is not a priority. His office, which Shapiro once held, has sole authority to do so. It’s for this reason that the commonwealth is not listed as a plaintiff in the suit.
“We will not micromanage the federal government, and will not have news-making commentary in response to happenings in D.C.,” said Sunday’s Press Secretary Brett Hambright in an email to The Center Square, adding that the law provides for the governor to act on behalf of the commonwealth in his own capacity.
“I’m taking action to preserve that freedom and ensure no Pennsylvania student is harmed by the federal government’s decision to go back on its word,” said Shapiro.
A previous suit filed by Shapiro against the administration led to the unfreezing of $2.1 billion.
A suit from 23 states against the Department of Health and Human Services and its Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is ongoing. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, is also listed in his capacity as governor.
