PHOENIX (KVOA) – Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is taking a stand against the Trump administration, joining a coalition of 15 attorneys general and the Governor of Pennsylvania to restore access to crucial Department of Education programs. These programs, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), are vital for supporting low-income and unhoused students.
On March 28, the Department of Education (ED) unexpectedly ended state access to hundreds of millions in ARPA grants, previously available until March 2026. This sudden move has created a significant budget gap, potentially harming students nationwide.
“The Trump administration is engaged in a coordinated attack on students, families, and the entire education system,” said Mayes.
ARPA-funded programs like Homeless Children and Youth (HCY), Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER), and Emergency Assistance to Nonpublic Schools (EANS) are crucial for Arizona schools. HCY grants, in particular, support unhoused youth by providing food, classroom supplies, and specialized teacher training.
Attorney General Mayes emphasized the impact on rural Arizona, where many schools depend on federal dollars to maintain classroom operations. “The Trump administration’s reckless chaos and destruction will only hurt the kids who need help the most,” Mayes said.
The coalition argues that the ED’s decision violates the Administrative Procedure Act, as it reversed a prior decision without sufficient explanation. They seek a court order to prevent this abrupt change, ensuring states can access these essential funds.
Joining Mayes are the attorneys general of California, Delaware, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, and the District of Columbia, along with the Governor of Pennsylvania.