The Parental Choice Tax Credit program, which would provide up to $5,000 per K-12 student for expenses that could include private school tuition, was signed into law
BOISE, Idaho — Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed House Bill 93 into law early Thursday morning.
The Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit program, which would provide up to $5,000 per K-12 student for expenses that could include private school tuition, was signed into law by the governor on Thursday, after several challenges along the way.
As previously reported by Idaho Press, the bill sets aside $50 million for the tax credit, which could be provided in advance to families with household incomes at or below 300% of the federal poverty level; these families with lower incomes would be prioritized to receive the credit for the first year of the program. In subsequent years, families that have received the credit before are to be given first priority, and then families with incomes at or below the threshold are given next priority. Families with children aged 5 to 21 with disabilities would be eligible for up to $7,500.
Brad Little commented on the signing, stating the following:
“With the passage of the $50 million Parental Choice Tax Credit program, Idaho boasts even more abundant schooling options for Idaho students and families. Combined with the continuation of Idaho’s astoundingly successful LAUNCH program, Idaho has become the first state to offer education freedom from kindergarten through career.
“Idaho’s commitment to education is growing every year. I am proud that we have put close to $17 BILLION into our K-12 public school system since I took office and increased public school funding by close to 60 percent in just a few years. Our investments in education initiatives have increased 80 percent overall since my first year in office. In addition, Idaho ranks first in the nation for our return on investment in public schools.
“Idaho can have it all – strong public schools AND education freedom. Providing high-quality education for Idaho students will always be our top priority,” Governor Little said.
The Idaho Democratic Party, which voted against the tax credit, also reached out to say:
“Brad Little cares more about appeasing out-of-state billionaires than protecting Idaho students and neighborhood schools. Idahoans saw this voucher scheme for what it was: a blatant attack on public education. They flooded his office with calls opposing it by a 10-to-1 margin because they knew the truth.
“Vouchers drain critical funding from public schools while providing no accountability to taxpayers or families. Other states have learned the hard way that voucher schemes lower student achievement and explode state budgets. Instead of standing with the people he was elected to serve, Little caved to billionaire-backed lobbyists determined to dismantle public education. Idahoans deserve leaders who fight for them, not politicians who sell them out.”
Idaho’s Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield commented on the bill being signed into law:
“Today is an opportunity to remember that public schools are and will continue to be the schools of choice for the vast majority of Idaho parents and that we need to ensure the highest level of support for all parent choices, including those in public education.
“For our dedicated educators and school leaders who are committed to doing everything they can to prepare Idaho kids for success, I say thank you. “
Last week 73 public school administrators sent a letter to Govenor Little expressing their opposition. KTVB reached out to a few of them today with reactions to the bill being signed.
“Regardless of new legislation, the Jerome School District remains committed to being the school of choice for our communities,” Jerome School District Superintendent Brent Johnson said. “We are dedicated to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and academically rigorous learning environment for every student.”
Emmett School District Superintendent, Craig Woods, told KTVB, it was “a rough bus afternoon” and that many of his staff are concerned “about what this will mean for their job.”
“Governor Little and his family have been such a large part of our community for generations,” Woods said. “I know his heart is with the people in Idaho and while I may not agree with the decision for our legislature to even bring forth a bill like this, I understand his reasoning behind his signature.”
Other school districts called the Govenor’s decision disappointing.
“I am disappointed that a Gov. Little rejected overwhelming public opposition to this bill for political reasons,” Butte County School District Superintendent, Joe Steele, said. “I think Republicans at the state and national levels forget that they represent the American people and not special interest groups and billionaires.”
“I’m disappointed, but not surprised by the governor signing HB93,” Notus School District Superintendent, Micah Doramus. “I think it is a sad day for Idaho public education when the self-proclaimed Education Governor approves a bill that did not meet his own standard for doing it the ‘Idaho Way’ and allowed for a bill to pass with no accountability to the taxpayers for how their public dollars are spent.”
