Committee approves repeal of Empowering Parents grant; supporters and critics clash over who benefits

The Senate Education Committee voted to send Senate Bill 1142 to the Senate floor with a due-pass recommendation after extended testimony both defending and opposing repeal of the Empowering Parents Grant program.

Senator Camille Blaylock, sponsor of the measure, told the committee the grant began as Strong Families, Strong Students during the COVID-19 pandemic with $50 million in federal relief and later continued in state funds as the Empowering Parents Grant. “The emergency that justified this program is over,” Blaylock said, arguing the program has evolved into a permanent $30 million annual appropriation and that much of the money is now spent on electronics rather than tutoring or direct academic supports. “If we don't take action now, this program risks becoming a permanent entitlement,” she said.

Testimony in committee presented sharply different perspectives. Parents, homeschoolers, small-business vendors and district officials described the grant as a tool to expand access to extracurriculars, technology and life-skill instruction for low- and middle-income families across Idaho. Shelby Murdock, an approved vendor and music educator, said her business has served thousands of students through the program, most from low-income families. “This grant has allowed thousands of children to be educated in a manner that fits their ability to grow into successful adults,” Murdock said. Amanda Wayne, a homeschooling parent and Red Cross water-safety instructor, told senators the grant funds paid for swimming lessons for children who otherwise would not have access, and highlighted Idaho’s high childhood drowning rate.

Other witnesses raised budgetary concerns. Eleanor Cheehee of United Women in Faith opposed repeal of the parent grant but urged the committee instead to repeal parental choice tax credits, arguing the tax credits disproportionately reduce state revenues and that the Empowering Parents grant serves lower-income families. Senator Blaylock noted data she said showed public-school students receive the largest share of grants (about 81 percent) and that roughly 80 percent of expenditures have been for technology.

Vendors also testified about economic effects. Dustin Stevens, managing partner at Boise Computer Depot, described the program’s role in enabling his company to grow and to supply technology to thousands of Idaho students, while Barbara Schreiber, a parent-advisory panel member appointed by the governor, said most grant recipients historically had adjusted gross incomes under $75,000 and that the $1,000-per-student cap can serve up to 30,000 students annually.

Senators questioned where money would go if the grant were repealed. Blaylock said the bill directs funds back to the general fund and said on the record she would prefer those monies to be reinvested in public K-12 education, though the bill includes no such earmark. Committee members noted overlap with House Bill 93, which creates parental choice tax credits; several said it was premature to repeal the grant until the effect of HB 93 is known.

Senator Simeroff moved to send Senate Bill 1142 to the floor with a due-pass recommendation. The motion carried; one senator registered a recorded “nay.” The committee did not provide a roll-call tally in committee minutes published with the hearing record.

The bill now proceeds to the Senate floor for further debate.