Maine is joining more than 20 other states in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture intended to stop the agency from enforcing new rules that could threaten federal funding for school meals.
The USDA created new requirements that prevent states from using funds to “promote gender ideology” or “provide incentives for illegal immigration,” among other conditions.
The plaintiff states argue that these are vague and broad terms that make compliance difficult. They also say that even if requirements are clarified, they would still be unlawful because statutes cannot be modified “by a simple stroke of the Secretary’s pen.”
Maine received approximately $140 million in federal funding to support all child nutrition programs in schools and child care settings, according to the Maine Department of Education.
This story appears through a media partnership with Maine Public.