By Ryan Suppe, State Politics Reporter
Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s to create workforce grants targeting in-demand careers barely squeaked through the House yesterday.
Funded in part by the $410 million lawmakers set aside for education during last year’s special legislative session, the bill would create a fund that provides up to $8,500 in grants to Idaho high school graduates enrolling in school or training.
Most House Republicans opposed the bill, which passed by just one vote. Many House Republicans argued it’s not taxpayers’ responsibility to subsidize higher education and workforce training.
Others expressed concern that the bill wouldn’t guarantee that recipients stay in Idaho after using the grant. The legislation would require recipients to pay back the funds if they drop out of a program before completing it.
“Our businesses will pay for this if they have the need,” said Rep. Jason Monks, R-Meridian. “This benefit is not necessarily for the students, this is for businesses to be able to cover costs that they’re already paying.”
Two educators turned lawmakers, Reps. Matthew Bundy, R-Mountain Home, and Julie Yamamoto, R-Caldwell, also supported the bill. Yamamoto said as a school principal she spoke to thousands of students whose problems in school were often related to financial instability.
“I don’t want to just appeal to you on some kind of a heart-wrenching appeal, but I am going to tell you that there are a lot of kids that are in that spot,” Yamamoto said. “We...
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