(NewsNation) — Democratic Gov. Matt Meyer of Delaware says the country needs more investment in education, not cuts.
“Like a lot of things, we’re just hoping we stop cutting the bulls— instead of cutting education,” Meyer said.
Trump has said federal funding from the department will go directly to the states to run their own education. Meyer said this has left state officials confused and wondering if the funds from the department will actually go toward the states like they were promised.
“In Delaware, we rely on $377 million in federal assistance to help students in need,” Meyer said. “They’re telling us the money isn’t going away, so we’re trying to figure out what this means.”
What do Education Department cuts mean for student loans?
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday that calls to dismantle the Department of Education.
Since Congress created the department, it would still need to authorize its elimination.
Trump has argued in the past that shutting down the Education Department and putting the states in charge would improve the global ranking of U.S. school systems.
The Trump administration says it will take “all lawful steps” to shut it down but that Trump wants the department gone “as quickly as possible.”
DOE cuts will empower states
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican, said he believes Trump’s order will not change much besides giving the money to the states to fund their own education. Landry said Trump will keep his word on giving money from the Education Department to individual states.
“America works best when states are acting independently,” Landry said. “We want that money unfettered and put it in the classroom where it belongs.”
