Idaho lawmakers hear CTE budget request, debate $10 million plan to expand high-demand programs

Kevin Campbell, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, opened the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee hearing with an overview of the base budget and FY2026 requests for the Division of Career Technical Education (CTE).

Campbell told the committee that CTE’s statewide system includes secondary programs, six technical colleges, adult education and workforce training centers and that the division relies on a mix of funds with statutorily directed purposes. He highlighted three special funds: the Displaced Homemaker Fund (revenue from a $20 divorce fee directed to Centers for New Directions), the Hazardous Materials and Waste Enforcement Fund (supported by hazmat trip and annual permits, used for firefighter hazmat training), and the Motorcycle Safety Fund (supported by driver’s license and motorcycle registration fees for motorcycle safety training).

The nut graph: Lawmakers probed how the division plans to use an ongoing $10 million governor recommendation intended to expand seats in “high demand” technical programs, while CTE and the State Board emphasized persistent demand-driven shortages in facilities and faculty, not just funding. Committee members pressed for clearer detail on distribution, oversight and measurable outcomes before committing ongoing state dollars.

Executive Director Joshua Whitworth, serving in an interim role for the CTE division, told the committee that federal grant funding “is available” but cautioned that the division must be diligent about the timing and…