Brennan, Education Committee members call on congressional delegation to oppose Department of Education changes
AUGUSTA – Rep. Michael Brennan, D-Portland, along with all Democratic members and one unenrolled member of the Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee, sent a letter Tuesday to Maine’s congressional delegation opposing the U.S. Department of Education’s (DOE) plans to restructure two of its offices.
Last month, the Trump administration announced that the DOE would move work regarding the enforcement of civil rights in education to the Department of Justice and work regarding special education services to the Department of Health and Human Services.
“These departmental changes will cause irreparable harm to students of color and students with disabilities in Maine and across the nation,” said Brennan. “This is a clear attempt to further dismantle our public education system and leave already vulnerable students with fewer and fewer resources. I urge our congressional delegation to take action and help us circumvent any damage that is sure to happen under this proposal.”
Additional signatories include House chair Rep. Kelly Murphy, D-Scarborough; Senate chair Sen. Joe Rafferty, D-Kennebunk; Rep. Jan Dodge, D-Belfast; Rep. Christina Mitchell, D-Cumberland; Rep. Holly Sargent, D-York; Ed Crockett, U-Portland; and Senate Majority Leader Teresa Pierce, D-Falmouth.
Contact:
Brian Lee (Brennan, Dodge, Mitchell, Murphy, Sargent) | 305-965-2744
Ben Barry (Rafferty, Pierce) | ben.barry@legislature.maine.gov