Gov. Shapiro appointed to Trump's Council of Governors

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has been appointed by President Donald Trump to join the bipartisan Council of Governors, which focuses on enhancing state-federal partnerships particularly in national security and disaster response. This marks the first time a Pennsylvania governor has served on the council, which consists of five Democratic and five Republican governors. Shapiro's appointment comes shortly after he filed a lawsuit against Trump's administration over its decision to freeze federal funding for Pennsylvania projects. The council's responsibilities include coordinating National Guard issues and responding to disasters. Shapiro is expected to advocate for the importance of federal funds, which constitute a significant portion of Pennsylvania's budget, during his tenure. The council's recent meeting focused on budget trends and improving communication between states and federal defense agencies.