Democratic Governors United in Standing Up for Public Education
Democratic Governors United in Standing Up for Public Education
While Donald Trump takes significant steps to dismantle the Department of Education with Republican governors (literally) cheering him on, Democratic governors are standing united in their support of students, teachers, and public schools.
Here’s how Democratic governors are speaking out, serving as the last line of defense against Donald Trump’s attacks on public schools, and working to make sure America’s children get the education they deserve.
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs: “I am deeply concerned about the actions that are being taken to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Arizona receives almost $1 billion in ongoing K-12 education programs through the Department of Education. Arizona students also rely on the Department to access the FAFSA that unlocks Pell Grants and other financial aid. Any potential cuts to these critical funding streams and services would have far-reaching effects on Arizona students from preschool to K-12 and higher education… Now is the time we should be doubling down on our investments in public education, not creating uncertainty. As Governor, I will do everything in my power to protect education funding for Arizona’s students.”
California Governor Gavin Newson: “This overreach needs to be rejected immediately by a co-equal branch of government. Or was Congress eliminated by this executive order, too?”
Colorado Governor Jared Polis: “By cutting this funding, the Trump Administration is taking away healthy meals from schoolchildren and slashing contracts Colorado farmers depend on to support their businesses and workers. Instead of helping communities put food on the table, this decision takes resources from schools, food banks, and Colorado families.”
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont: “The dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education threatens the strength and stability of our public schools by undermining the federal government’s role in supporting education.”
Delaware Governor Matt Meyer on NewsNation with Connell McShane: “We’re just hoping we stop cutting the bullshit instead of cutting education… the broader message is that tax cuts will be delivered to millionaires and billionaires and the way he’s getting there is by cutting the Department of Education.”
Hawaii Governor Josh Green: “As Governor, I am committed to ensuring our keiki receive the best education possible. Right now, 11% of our education budget comes from the federal government, funding that is critical for our schools, teachers and students. President Trump’s executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education threatens this support, shifting responsibilities to the states without clear funding solutions. This could place additional strain on our budget and impact vital programs like special education and school meals. I will continue to advocate for strong federal-state partnerships to keep Hawaii’s education system well-funded and responsive to the needs of our students and educators.”
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker: “Education is foundational to the success of our people, our state and the future of America… All the best research shows that focusing dollars on our children is one of the most fiscally responsible investments we can make: it reduces future expenditures and offers one of the highest returns on investment. It yields a higher high school graduation rate, a higher college attendance rate, greater lifetime earnings, lower healthcare costs, lower crime rates, and an overall reduction in the need for human services spending. Nowhere is this more evident than with the students who have historically been left out and left behind. Investing in our children’s education pays off-and it’s the right thing to do.”
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly: “Each and every student in Kansas deserves a quality education that will set them up for success. That’s why my budget proposal includes $72.6M for special education — keeping Kansas on track to fulfill the second of a 5-year plan to fully fund special education.”
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear: “Education is the key to a bright future, which every child deserves. The greatest act of public service would be to make our public education system stronger for generations of American children. There should never be a ‘final mission’ when it comes to our kids.”
Maryland Governor Wes Moore: “While the President is busy mocking Maryland students’ test scores and trying to shutter the doors of the Department of Education, we’re fighting for Maryland’s students and educators. Leadership means lifting people up, not punching down.”
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey on NBC10 Boston: “[The executive order] is really distressing. I think it’s a dumb idea. It seems to me we should be doing everything we can to make America more competitive, continue to invest in education. And I can tell you as governor I’m going to continue to support and invest in education in our state.”
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer: “I worry that these things will set us back. And you know they’re capricious, unfortunately. There doesn’t seem to be a rationale that is a long-term goal. If it is improving educational outcomes, there are lot of ways to do that as opposed to crippling the department that does education. If the goal is to onshore and strengthen American manufacturing, that’s a goal we can all get behind. But indiscriminate tariffs on our allies? They’re going to put Michiganders out of work, it’s going to hit the Michigan economy harder than any other state and drive up costs for consumers.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on MSNBC with Rachel Maddow: “[This is] a day that I dreaded. I dreaded it as a teacher, as a parent, certainly as a governor now. The sad part for me about this is that Donald Trump doesn’t know anything about education. This has been a long time dream of the far right to crush the public education system, to take that money and transfer it to to private schools that don’t exist in in a lot of areas or rural areas, and to undermine some of the missions of the Department of Ed: making sure everybody gets an education, regardless of race, religion, or abilities…”
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy: “President Trump’s directive to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education is unconscionable and unconstitutional… By signing this Executive Order, the Trump Administration is endangering vital resources for K-12 students and risking increased costs for those pursuing higher education. Simply put, the Trump Administration is going out of its way to create chaos and raise costs for our nation’s families.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul on CNN with John Berman: “There are families who cannot afford to feed their kids a lunch, so is he saying he’s going to spread the same amount of money we get now and hand it back to us? I know how I’ll spend it as a Democrat, and I’ll make sure it goes to the right place. Heaven help the Republican states who might take that money and do something that’s not focused on feeding hungry kids, helping kids with disabilities, and everyone else that the Department of Education helps. So why do this? Why are you unleashing this chaos on the people who put you in office? Just leave everybody alone. Leave the parents alone, leave the kids alone.”
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein: “I’m very concerned – gravely concerned – about his disruption of the Department of Education. The most important thing we have to ensure if that funding flow does not stop.”
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek: “To be clear: Congress passed legislation to create the Department of Education and eliminating it would require an act of Congress. This Executive Order creates uncertainty, chaos, and fear for education leaders and families across Oregon. One of our most fundamental charges as elected leaders is to provide our young people with a quality public education and to protect their wellbeing, no matter where they live or who they are. This attempt to dismantle the USDOE is a dereliction of that duty.”
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro on HBO with Bill Maher: “I’ve got kids who are coming from poor families who rely on this funding from the federal government to have a shot in life. I said before, I want every child of God to have the freedom to chart their own course, the opportunity to succeed. The federal government made a compact with those kids. I hope they don’t break that compact with those kids.”
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers: “Eliminating the Department of Education and cutting funding for our public schools will have disastrous consequences for Wisconsin’s kids and schools. Make no mistake: this is an escalation of President Trump’s and Elon Musk’s assault on our constitutional checks and balances. No one should have the sole power to make decisions like this unchecked. This is not how we do things in America.”
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