PHOENIX — The U.S. Department of Education is releasing $6 billion of withheld federal education funding to recipients, including the state of Arizona, after it passed the Office of Management and Budget’s review.
Arizona will receive $118 million of the federal funding, more than 10% of the state’s federal education money. It will fund adult learning, English language classes and schools.
The funding was supposed to be released on July 1 but was withheld by the Trump administration.
Last week, $1.3 billion of the funding that goes to after-school programs was released after 10 Republican senators wrote a letter to President Donald Trump asking for the money to be given out.
This money would have caused nonprofit programs such as the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club of America to close down or cut back on staff this fall, according to a report from the Associated Press. More than one million children and teenagers nationwide take part in these programs.
The U.S. Department of Education said the review of the programs was completed Friday, and the money can now begin to be distributed.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne released a statement regarding the funding release, saying his office will “work very hard to disburse these funds as soon as possible.”
He added the review of the money was “merely ensuring that the funds are being used appropriately and not for ideological purposes.”
Horne also told KTAR News 92.3 FM the programs receiving federal funding shouldn’t be impacted by the three-week freeze.
“Most of them have carryover funds … if they didn’t have carryover funds, which would be unusual … it’s less than 1% of their budget, so they could fill it in until these funds arrive,” Horne said.
He added he doesn’t foresee another federal education funding freeze in the future.
Arizona legislators react to federal funding release
During the time the funding was withheld, multiple Arizona lawmakers spoke out about the importance of the funding and how impactful it is for students and parents to have access to these programs.
Several of them released statements after the funds were released.
“I’m glad the Trump Administration backed down and unfroze the Congressionally-appropriated grants it was withholding from Arizona schools, but that money should never have been frozen in the first place,” U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D) said. “The funding freeze forced schools to delay hiring and scramble to adjust just weeks before the school year starts. It created chaos for educators and uncertainty for families. I’m glad it’s over and proud to have fought to make it happen.”
“After our persistent efforts, the Trump administration has finally released the critical education funds Arizona students and schools were owed. This is a win for our educators, our families, and especially our kids, who shouldn’t have to wait for the resources they need to learn and succeed,” U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly (D) said. “This delay should never have happened in the first place, and I will continue to work to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
“After our pressure campaign, Trump blinked and finally released more than $100 million in funding his administration was withholding from Arizona classrooms. Not a moment too soon, as kids across the state head back to school,” U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton (D) said. “This is a big win, but it never should have been an issue in the first place. Trump continues to play games with our kids’ futures, and we’re not going to let it stand.”
“Our Arizona schools depend on federal funding for critical programs like after-school activities, student support, and teacher training,” U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D) said. “It was cruel and unconstitutional for the Trump Administration to withhold these funds in the first place, and I’m relieved that they are now releasing them. I’ll keep fighting alongside our Arizona Democratic Delegation to ensure our schools receive the resources they need.”
Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.
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