JFAC debate stalls $2.5 million "Digital Access for All Idahoans" grant amid DEI dispute; motion fails

The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee spent more than an hour on March 7 debating funding for the Idaho Commission for Libraries, including a $2.5 million federal grant called the Digital Access for All Idahoans program. Committee members clashed over whether the grant involves diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) priorities and whether the state should accept the funds.

Brooke Dupree, a Legislative Services Office budget and policy analyst, presented the Commission for Libraries’ budget. Senator Steven Cook moved the committee’s original request: add $42,400 from the general fund for broadband reimbursement, $40,000 from federal funds for subgrants to local libraries, and $2,500,000 in federal funds for the Digital Access for All Idahoans grant — a total package of $2,582,400.

Senator Brian Carlson offered a substitute motion to trim the package to $82,400 (removing the $2.5 million digital grant). Carlson said the $2.5 million supported DEI programs and explained the substitute as a response to the Legislature’s recent position on DEI. Representative Price seconded the substitute.

Senators and representatives questioned the characterization of the grant. Senator Maryanne Wintrow and others said the funding is aimed at expanding digital access for seniors, veterans, residents with language barriers and rural users, and pointed to cybersecurity and device access as common local uses. Representative Tanner and Carlson emphasized concerns about federal grants’ content and potential redistribution of unused funds.

Committee members asked staff for the federal source; an analyst identified the federal authority as the Digital Equity Act. Senator Wintrow and others asked for the specific federal notice of funding and for staff to circulate documentation to the committee.

The substitute motion to remove the $2.5 million digital grant failed in a roll call where the combined chamber total recorded 11 ayes and 9 nays; the chair ruled the motion failed because it lacked an affirmative majority in the House. The committee then considered the original motion to fund the full $2,582,400 package; that motion also failed after a later roll call produced the same combined tally and the chair again recorded that the House had not voted in the affirmative. Committee leadership and advisers then spent time resolving a procedural disagreement about whether a failed motion should be routed to the chamber where it passed; co‑chairs said any motion that fails on one side of the committee would be returned to JFAC for reconsideration.

Why it matters: The digital grant would provide federal money to local libraries for training, devices, large‑print materials and cybersecurity—uses members said benefit seniors and other groups. Opponents argued the grant language flagged DEI priorities, which they opposed. Committee members on both sides asked staff to provide the federal notice and the specific Digital Equity Act materials.

Votes and outcome: Neither the substitute motion nor the original funding motion carried. The committee did not approve the Commission for Libraries funding package during the March 7 session; staff said the item may be brought back for further consideration.

Selected quotes: • Senator Brian Carlson: "This is funding ... more DEI and the legislature has taken a stand against DEI programs. That is the reason for this motion." • Senator Maryanne Wintrow: "We're talking about funding for libraries to help people read and access information ... Some of this money goes to community colleges to support the cybersecurity aspects." • Senator Steven Cook (motion maker): "If you don't take this money, where does this money go? ... it is reformulized and... it goes back out to those that are willing to accept it."