[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6291326,"mediaKeyId","2530027-135ccd436292634de68ef145eaaf4ea5","parentId",2530027,"title","House Education chair urges continued rural funding, CTE support and caution on rapid shifts to choice programs","audioSeconds",761,"startMs",50645,"endMs",812390,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2530027-135ccd436292634de68ef145eaaf4ea5&start=50&end=812","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2530027-135ccd436292634de68ef145eaaf4ea5/thumbnail_50645.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6291326/Idaho/House-Education-chair-urges-continued-rural-funding-CTE-support-and-caution-on-rapid-shifts-to-choice-programs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291326-a2588c4ea2b585affac7ccab3d7765be/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166945&Signature=JprR4~x1Q4LlKU0vwku1o6-ogkUYwDI8giuacGtnSV9YdXM2Ng2M5nRsw-Gqb-f8hb03OOEDVH0sTPX~xdhyLLNvWv2LNiJNC4oy1-sJvUqr4sM-H-mMNrjZH~7GaGxynGRYlI3h9~k57URLCCBzIGIub9W4HIy2zdqi89Ul5HcyVSkBAu9nvpf3loDs5wG0FY4BqZgP5ecO7BzVVrF5rKnmvA3MczDIxS5NMz3oD6mXBVyql9rA40WLKca2mpbFzedtiF0UFrSgDsA9TFOknnVGMKQo37s4cNQsQRsOCA9mbFR1E5Pwozztm06KpYV0pv5QiXtYeMvWKQ1v0D97Gw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Idaho Legislature","date","2025-03-07T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Doug Pickett, chair of the Idaho House Education Committee, told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on March 7 that Idaho has substantially increased investment in public education over the past decade and urged continued attention to rural schools, career and technical education and protecting the intended use of federal funds.

Pickett, who said he represents District 27 (Cassia, Oneida and Minidoka counties), told the committee, “Over the past 10 years, the public education K‑12 budget has doubled from 1,400,000,000.0 to 2,800,000,000.0, despite the number of students only increasing by less than 9%.” He thanked committee members for recent teacher pay increases and for permitting school districts to enroll teachers in the state health insurance plan, a change he said provides a benefit of “approximately $4,000 each.”

Pickett said policy should balance a classical academic foundation in math, science, history and communication with expanding practical trade‑based pathways such as HVAC, plumbing and electrical. “Kids need and want to be challenged in areas that they have not yet discovered,” he said, while warning against reflexively sacrificing core academics for short‑term workforce shifts.

He emphasized capacity limits at the postsecondary level: career and technical education (CTE) programs at community colleges are “significantly oversubscribed,” he said, and colleges face difficulties recruiting instructors who are in high demand in the private sector. He told the committee that secondary schools face similar recruitment pressures.

Pickett flagged specific funding gaps cited by his office: an estimated $3,000,000,000 statewide facilities funding shortfall, an $83,000,000 gap for special‑needs services, $5,000,000 to support teacher training in phonics for early literacy, and $35,000,000 for outcome‑based funding measures. He also referenced federal policy changes under discussion nationally and said his committee wants federal block grants or direct payments to “continue to go toward their intended purposes.”

The remarks framed several budget items JFAC was considering later in the day, including community college enrollment adjustments and broader discussions about formula changes for K‑12 funding.

Pickett concluded by saying the House Education Committee intends to protect long‑term investments in rural public schools and to avoid “neglecting to adequately fund our rural public schools,” which he described as central to many Idaho communities’ identity.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Joint Finance-Appropriation Committee - March 7, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Doug Pickett, chair of the Idaho House Education Committee, told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on March 7 that Idaho has substantially increased K‑12 spending over the past decade but must protect rural schools, expand career and technical education capacity and ensure federal funds are used as intended.","taxTitle","2025 Joint Legislative Sessions, 2025 Legislative Sessions, Idaho","taxId",78212,"location","Idaho","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6291311,"JFAC approves several agency budget changes; multiple items pass with due‑pass recommendations",214,3527470,3742299,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2530027-135ccd436292634de68ef145eaaf4ea5&start=3527&end=3742","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2530027-135ccd436292634de68ef145eaaf4ea5/thumbnail_3527470.jpg","/articles/6291311/Idaho/JFAC-approves-several-agency-budget-changes-multiple-items-pass-with-duepass-recommendations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291311-ba2f2df04c5bcae8ba47a79ecbe0a2fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166946&Signature=LqMkPYSpR98Jf~lqeGcQHYU9qSVpUYRjKbH-xmBjSVuXbI06KpaWiGCLyeNmk-x-5Mgy05rMP3RRFu0NHodP22URnfALfN8fUDEtCE~EP5VkhTWKEiw1fzXFHSEHiigXCNgcKwgGOnZckGUMJFhlAR8c473fISQmdMFWjeyU1jJ3A9xTUwFLAL4KMm4G7OH7dVK9EL5EiL96kxP1nyv802Pk1lf6ZKGnhK786qm4V7iF~mLFrravxPbpd-5DAk4jjVlTPI36X2ceomkyCBJ8HzvixKc4hsQ~MciDFLkBG4f9vn~R7HNmCncs-b6g0C1Y8RY1aWGTQ67Xt7nKU8~EvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on March 7 approved several program transfers and appropriations across state agencies during its FY 2026 budget review. Motions carried with due‑pass recommendations and recorded roll calls as noted below.

Department of Commerce: The committee approved a net‑zero program transfer that moves 1 full‑time position and $140,900 into the broadband office and removes the same from another Commerce program. The motion, moved by Representative Handy and seconded by Senator Bierke, passed unanimously on a 20‑0 roll call (10‑0 House; 10‑0 Senate) and will carry a due‑pass recommendation.

Department of Juvenile Corrections: The committee approved enhancements including a $380,000 dedicated funds radio‑system upgrade (one‑time), $300,000 ongoing general fund for substance use disorder residential treatment, replacement items totaling $145,100, and an IT modernization reclassification that reduces 7 FTP and moves funds from personnel to operating for a net zero personnel budget impact. The motion passed with a combined committee tally of 15 ayes and 5 nays and will carry a due‑pass recommendation.

Department of Correction (Management Services Division): The committee approved a package that included a $1,000,000 ongoing recidivism case management software enhancement, $668,100 for transparency software, IT replacement and hardware items totaling roughly $1.5 million (as recommended by IT services), and $85,000 ongoing for a governor’s initiative to support a special assistant U.S. Attorney in Northern Idaho. The motion passed with a combined tally of 15 ayes and 5 nays and will carry a due‑pass recommendation.

These motions were procedural budget votes that moved agency requests and suggested enhancements to the next legislative steps; specific appropriation language and final enacted amounts will be set as the legislature finalizes FY 2026 budgets.","JFAC approved several program transfers and appropriations on March 7, including a Commerce broadband office transfer and appropriations for juvenile corrections and Department of Correction management services.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6291316,"Digital Access for All grant sparks partisan debate; JFAC does not approve $2.5 million request during session",715,1588155,2303375,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2530027-135ccd436292634de68ef145eaaf4ea5&start=1588&end=2303","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2530027-135ccd436292634de68ef145eaaf4ea5/thumbnail_1588155.jpg","/articles/6291316/Idaho/Digital-Access-for-All-grant-sparks-partisan-debate-JFAC-does-not-approve-25-million-request-during-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291316-ebca2c3a507663e9635cd0ef0a430693/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166946&Signature=aovQxmVGPaXkwvtF7SBtGACwJgpg95hmvUacu6A-xDS0U7Qx2T01~KIR~cYP6kXHX4LTj8nn0dClZTuepJvZpAs~fFVS-fQ8z9ooZ5vpO8D2mj~eg45KNVcFmJc7vEtBt0K9oXaS89rBiKPDjnQg4lsHmKDFh6hvCepQ7l38NXf59ASlO0oshehKviH0m1BDznUvnMmnKQ1DeqlIWrCk0-Aqo2WHlydlI3A9~PTB4p3SAqoDmH1aMDGZQRQJHEopk09uXuOuXAVDQ1IgVsQ9AHrnPPgn0W2v2AaixUvXRqPcFhtY3aNU126wZZ04RVZ8J6N6Vq-pGNgPcp1wBg~2aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on March 7 debated a $2.5 million grant titled “Digital Access for All,” administered through the Idaho Commission for Libraries, with members sharply divided over whether the funding advances diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) priorities.

Brooke Dupree, a Legislative Services Office analyst, introduced the Commission for Libraries’ budget and explained the $2,500,000 line was for a Digital Access for All grant. Senator Carlson offered a motion that would limit funding to $82,400 and remove the $2.5 million grant; he said the larger grant funded “more DEI and the legislature has taken a stand against DEI programs.”

Opponents of stripping the money, including Senator Cook and Representative Tanner, said the federal grant targets digital training for seniors, veterans and rural residents and funds devices, large‑print materials and cybersecurity support in local libraries. Representative Tanner said the grant included assistance for older adults and people with language barriers and stressed local library boards decide how federal funds are used. Mr. Pree, a Commerce or budget staff member, told the committee the funding is provided under the federal Digital Equity Act.

The committee recorded separate roll calls on a substitute motion (to restrict or strip the $2.5 million) and on the original motion that would have adopted the Commission for Libraries package including the $2.5 million grant. On both votes the Senate and the House split: the Senate recorded 6 ayes and 4 nays; the House recorded 5 ayes and 5 nays, and the committee chair concluded the motions failed because they did not carry a majority in the House. The transcript shows the chair planned to revisit these items at a later date.

Senator Wintrow asked for the specific federal notice of funding; staff said they would follow up by sending the federal notice of funding and identified the program as the Digital Equity Act. Supporters said the grant is in its second year with up to five years of funding available and that money already awarded to local libraries has been planned for multi‑year digital programs.

Because the motions did not obtain the necessary majority in both chambers of the joint committee, the committee did not approve the $2.5 million Digital Access for All grant on March 7 and the item was to be taken up again at a later meeting.","The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee debated a $2.5 million \"Digital Access for All\" grant for libraries on March 7 and split along partisan lines over whether the funding included DEI priorities; neither the amendment to remove the grant nor the original package carried a House majority, so the committee did not approve the grant.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6291321,"JFAC approves $1.68 million ongoing for community college enrollment adjustments; directs outcome‑based funding proposal by year end",328,1204080,1532375,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2530027-135ccd436292634de68ef145eaaf4ea5&start=1204&end=1532","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2530027-135ccd436292634de68ef145eaaf4ea5/thumbnail_1204080.jpg","/articles/6291321/Idaho/JFAC-approves-168-million-ongoing-for-community-college-enrollment-adjustments-directs-outcomebased-funding-proposal-by-year-end","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6291321-b746b6425922bb9ac624763786209187/orig.mp4?Expires=1771166946&Signature=nzaCpd9-eFYXngaOf3qdA14ukcSZ16rQBA8TACTesGh48H5uls4Z-H-QzzqTGVtWk~rHvlmTZoe85da-oEa-O56W-6FF04oFPXqVtqcCzPpq9TuIL25fgEbC2fdLWxKNTYDz~NG~3XUMlIUTo8cwynG49M2aWVvrLFxA~MTINPRNMRiFJTZzhTxL1jDrARzMJTC-tlv6l6nmtFAAZri1UG-9sJxfkJm8QDZiGkiwAiSHHnxpBBdEQdHxvfxY6DoyS3PLajnriEDVFuZkpJwW1saOHKUR-9~bAJZMeqlH3jMo3QiRv8DO4jE6ngTcqnmj24GPgZG3hXBiqorZJlW-SQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on March 7 approved an additional $1,679,800 in ongoing general fund support for Idaho’s community colleges to cover enrollment workload adjustments, and directed the State Board of Education to develop and return an outcome‑based funding model by Dec. 31, 2025.

The motion—moved by Representative Pesky and seconded by Senator Ward Engelking—allocated $496,800 ongoing to the College of Eastern Idaho, $690,000 ongoing to the College of Southern Idaho and $493,000 ongoing to the College of Western Idaho. The motion stated North Idaho College would be held harmless from a negative enrollment workload adjustment.

Representative Pesky explained the committee deliberately did not hold colleges to the 3% cap on workload adjustments so that institutions would receive the full adjustment for earned enrollment. He told the committee the change was intended to help community colleges address wait lists and capacity constraints, especially in CTE programs.

The committee also accepted, by unanimous consent, language directing the Office of the State Board of Education to develop an outcome‑based funding model and to return a proposal to JFAC for input by Dec. 31, 2025, with implementation scheduled by FY 2028.

Roll call recorded 19 ayes and 1 nay (combined on the joint committee), and the motion carried with a due‑pass recommendation to the floors of the two chambers.

The appropriation change is a program maintenance supplement to FY 2026 JFAC budgets and reflects the legislature’s immediate step to address enrollment‑driven costs at the colleges while the committee pursues longer‑term funding formula reform.","The joint finance committee added $1,679,800 ongoing general fund for enrollment workload adjustments across Idaho community colleges, held North Idaho College harmless, and directed the State Board of Education to return an outcome‑based funding proposal by Dec. 31, 2025.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House Education chair urges continued rural funding, CTE support and caution on rapid shifts to choice programs

JFAC approves several agency budget changes; multiple items pass with due‑pass recommendations

Digital Access for All grant sparks partisan debate; JFAC does not approve $2.5 million request during session

JFAC approves $1.68 million ongoing for community college enrollment adjustments; directs outcome‑based funding proposal by year end