Attorney General Jeff Jackson issued the following statement on the federal government’s announcement that nearly $7 billion in frozen public education funding nationwide, including over $165 million for North Carolina, will be returned to the states. Attorney General Jackson sued the administration last week alleging that this freeze in funds was unlawful and unconstitutional:

“National reports indicate that the U.S. Department of Education has backed down and is releasing all frozen funds — $6.8 billion nationwide, including $165 million for North Carolina — after we filed suit last week. This should end weeks of uncertainty — our schools can now plan, hire, and prepare for a strong year ahead. My absolute best wishes to our state’s 1.5 million students who are ready to make this their best year yet.”