Idaho governor expands private school choice with new $50 million bill
- Governor Brad Little of Idaho signed House Bill 93 into law to allocate $50 million for private school choice.
- The measure includes tax credits for education expenses, benefiting both general and special needs students.
- This law represents a broader initiative to provide diverse educational options while maintaining quality public schools.
In Idaho, Governor Brad Little signed House Bill 93 into law, which allocates $50 million to enhance private school options for families starting in the next school year. This significant legislation, approved by the Idaho House and Senate, is designed to provide parents with greater educational choices. The program includes a tax credit of $5,000 for education-related expenses such as tuition, transportation, supplies, and tutors, and offers $7,500 specifically for students with special needs. Governor Little emphasized that this initiative would create more diverse schooling opportunities for families across the state. He stated that with the passage of the Parental Choice Tax Credit program, Idaho takes a step forward in promoting educational freedom from early childhood through their career stages. He expressed confidence that Idaho could simultaneously maintain strong public schools while offering more educational options. The state has also been recognized for its successful LAUNCH program, which further supports education choices. The legislative process led to some contention, with the Idaho House approving the bill 42-28 and the Senate voting 20-15 in favor. Prior to the bill’s enactment, the governor established a hotline to gather public opinions, showing a proactive approach to gauge residents' sentiments towards the proposal. A poll indicated a strong majority of Idaho voters, at 66%, supported the funding for the expanded tax credit, while only 24% opposed it. Notably, the bill gained support even from a majority of Democrats at 53%, suggesting a bipartisan interest in enhancing education funding. Critics may still express concerns regarding the potential impacts on public school funding and how this shift towards private education might affect the overall educational landscape in Idaho. Nevertheless, the signing of this law marks a pivotal change, promising parents more choices in their children's education and reflecting a broader trend towards school choice policies in various states across the U.S.