PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration on Friday agreed to suspend all efforts to freeze funds aimed at Maine’s child nutrition program. State and Trump for transgender athletes.
In response, the state will withdraw the lawsuit filed against the US Department of Agriculture, Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey announced.
“It’s a shame my office had to resort to federal courts just to comply with the USDA’s laws and its own regulations,” Frey said in a statement. “But we are pleased that the lawsuit will be resolved and that Maine will receive funds that Congress directs to feed children and vulnerable adults.”
An email message asking for comment was sent to the Agriculture Department on Friday.
The settlement closes the conflict initially sparked by the federal decision to freeze federal funds in Maine for certain administrative and technical functions in state schools.
A letter from Agriculture Secretary Brook Rollins explained that the decision stems from differences in opinion between the state and federal governments over whether Maine is Maine. Conforms to Title IXfederal law prohibits discrimination in education based on gender. Trump has accused Maine of failing to comply with his executive orders Except for trans athletes in sports.
As soon as the secretary’s letter was sent, Maine’s Department of Education was unable to access several sources of federal funding due to the state’s nutrition program, according to a written order from the court.
Maine immediately sued the Trump administration, but state lawyers argued that the child nutrition program received or is expected to receive more than $1.8 million this fiscal year. The previous year’s funds were awarded but now totaling more than $900,000, the lawsuit states. The lawsuit also expects the program to be around $3 million and will be awarded annually in July for summer meal program sponsorship management and meal refunds.
A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to remove funds last month after determining that Maine is likely to succeed in a legal challenge.
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