Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) sued the Trump administration Thursday, saying the federal authorities continues to be suspending grants to his state regardless of court docket orders in two present instances.
The lawsuit signifies that, as of Thursday, Pennsylvania businesses nonetheless have over $1.2 billion in grant funding suspended and one other $900 million in grants which can be marked as requiring additional evaluate.
“Governor Josh Shapiro and members of Pennsylvania’s agencies have been working with federal partners and legislators to try to fully restore access to these funds,” the grievance reads.
“Despite that work, and despite two temporary restraining orders requiring federal agencies to restore access to suspended funds, federal agencies continue to deny Pennsylvania agencies funding that they are entitled to receive,” it continues.
Two judges have already quickly blocked the administration from implementing an across-the-board funding freeze. The rulings got here in response to lawsuits individually introduced by Democratic attorneys normal in 22 states and a coalition of personal organizations.
Shapiro’s problem, filed within the U.S. District Court docket for the Japanese District of Pennsylvania, now provides a 3rd lawsuit to the combination, a part of roughly 70 authorized challenges to main Trump administration actions for the reason that inauguration.
Shapiro is one in all two governors who joined the funding freeze battle Thursday. Earlier within the day, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) joined the present lawsuit from the attorneys normal.
Neither Kentucky nor Pennsylvania had beforehand gotten concerned, as each states have Republican attorneys normal.
“Over two weeks ago, the Trump Administration issued a directive freezing federal dollars that were legally appropriated by Congress to states,” Shapiro stated in a press release.
“That funding is committed to serious needs, like reclaiming abandoned minelands to prevent sinkholes, plugging orphaned and abandoned wells, helping lower consumers’ utility bills, and more,” he continued.
