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JFAC deadlocks on $2.5M digital-access grant after DEI debate
Summary
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee failed to approve a $2.5 million digital-access grant to libraries after an extended debate over language tied to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and the federal source of funds; a proposed scaled-back appropriation also failed.
A proposal to fund a $2.5 million "Digital Access for All Idahoans" grant for local libraries failed in the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on March 7 after extended debate over whether the grant included DEI-related elements and what the federal funding conditions require.
The committee initially considered an original motion to add $2,540,000 (including $2,500,000 federal funds for the digital-access grant and smaller state and federal amounts for broadband reimbursement and a federal subgrant program). Senator Cook presented the motion and asked unanimous consent to accept the language; the request was approved by voice. Representative Carlson then offered a substitute motion to…
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