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Committee debate over $2.5M digital-access grant exposes partisan disagreement over DEI language; funding fails to advance
Summary
Lawmakers debated a $2.5 million federal grant for library digital access and whether the program’s materials included diversity, equity and inclusion references. The substitute and original committee motions both failed to carry in the House, so the appropriation did not pass.
Members of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee debated funding for the Idaho Commission for Libraries on March 7, with disagreement centering on a $2.5 million federal Digital Access for All grant and whether grant materials referenced diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
Brooke Dupree, a Legislative Services Office analyst, told the committee the Commission administers statewide library grants and programs and presented the FY2026 request that included $42,400 general fund for broadband reimbursement, $40,000 federal funds for subgrants, and $2.5 million federal funds for a ‘‘Digital Access for All Idahoans’’ grant.
Senator Carlson moved a substitute motion to fund only $82,400 (removing the $2.5 million federal digital grant). He said the $2.5 million funded DEI work, which he opposed. Other members — including Senator Cook and Representative Tanner — pushed back, saying the grant targets seniors, veterans, rural residents and people with language barriers and supports digital training, printed large‑print materials and cybersecurity work for local libraries.
Senator Wintrow asked staff for the federal authority; Dupree said the funding is provided under the federal Digital Equity Act. Committee members also argued about whether unused federal funds would be retained by the federal government or redistributed.
The panel voted twice on competing motions. The substitute motion to remove the $2.5 million did not carry because the House vote was 5–5 (Senate 6–4, House 5–5; totals 11–9). The committee then considered the original motion to include the $2.5 million; that measure likewise failed when the House again recorded a 5–5 split (Senate 6–4, House 5–5; totals 11–9). Under committee procedure, because the House did not register a majority in favor, neither motion advanced.
Why it matters: The debate highlights how federally funded, locally administered grants for libraries can become a site of partisan disagreement when descriptive program language mentions inclusion or target populations. Committee members also emphasized that the grant money flows to local elected library boards to implement programs on the ground.
