Little touts support for education during legislative session

RATHDRUM — Gov. Brad Little is feeling good about how the 2024 legislative session went.

“I’m proud to say that this year, what I proposed to the Idaho Legislature, literally we got about 99% of what we wanted done,” Little said Wednesday afternoon at a meeting with students at Kootenai Technical Education Campus.

“Everything I propose is to make it to where you will want to stay in Idaho," Little said to the students and instructors who gathered in an automotive technology classroom for the press conference.

"You’ll want to stay in your community, you’ll want to stay close to your family, but most importantly, you will have a rewarding career to where you can live comfortably," he said, "and retire comfortably."

The governor shared results from the legislative session and discussed his Idaho Works plan.

Idaho Works includes investments in school facilities, property tax relief, the Idaho LAUNCH program, transportation, water, public safety and health care, all while maintaining a balanced budget.

Little said Idaho has never been a state that has put money into its schools. However, that is expected to change with House Bill 521, which overwhelmingly passed in the House and passed 23-11 in the Senate. All of Kootenai County's elected officials voted in favor of the bill.

“This year, we put aside $1.5 billion to make available to schools all over the state of Idaho," Little said.

He touted the passing of the school facilities bill, which will provide funding for construction, maintenance and reducing operations costs. The Coeur d’Alene School District will receive $39.4 million; the Post Falls School District will receive $24.9 million; and $19.3 million will be awarded to the Lakeland Joint School District.

“That won’t build a high school," Little said. "What it will do is lower the cost of bonding for the community. I believe that if we can lower the cost of it, the trustees, the community will advocate for advancements going forward.

“It means for the first time on a statewide basis, the state is going to participate in building schools, safer schools, better schools, into the future,” Little said.

The bill for the governor's Idaho LAUNCH program that aims to bolster Idaho's workforce passed by a whisker in the House — 39 ayes to 31 nays — and 21-14 in the Senate. It received zero support from Kootenai County's elected officials.

LAUNCH awards graduating high school seniors with up to $8,000 over two years for tuition and fees to pursue in-demand careers at Idaho institutions. The passing of this bill means $75 million in grant funding will be made available to grads as the program expands.

“I believe we'll change the trajectory of all of high school,” Little said.

He said while no one knows for sure what the economy will do in the future, Idaho will be strong thanks to what has been accomplished in recent years.

"If there’s a global recession, a national recession, or if there’s even a regional recession, you’re going to be better off in Idaho than anywhere else," Little said. "We put money away for a rainy day fund. We don’t have any debt. We’ve been investing in our roads, our water, our schools, our infrastructure. We’ve been giving our citizens more money back per capita than any other state, and, most importantly, we’re investing in the youth of our state so that we have that skilled workforce."

Coeur d'Alene High School senior and KTEC certified nursing assistant student Rhianna Kent was among those who attended the press conference.

“I think it’s very important for us to have someone who runs the state that understands the youth and the people that are coming up in this world and what’s next for them,” she said. 

She expressed her gratitude for Little's workforce plan and the support Idaho LAUNCH offers.

"As someone who came from a low-income family a long time ago and has been through foster care and everything, I’m really grateful he’s providing opportunities for people who don’t have them," she said. 

Her KTEC CNA classmate, Post Falls High School senior Kenzie Bennett, said she is waiting for her LAUNCH application to be approved.

“I think it’s an amazing program, and for someone whose parents aren’t paying for their college, I just think it’s great," she said. "Any money will help."

Visit gov.idaho.gov for details about Little's Idaho Works plan or visit idaholaunch.com for more about Idaho LAUNCH.

    Students listen as Gov. Brad Little discusses progress made with his Idaho Works plan and Idaho LAUNCH program during a Wednesday press conference at KTEC.
  

    Gov. Brad Little asks for a show of hands Wednesday as he speaks to Kootenai Technical Education Campus students about the passing of legislation that supports the Idaho LAUNCH program as well as the Idaho Works plan.
  

    From left, KTEC certified nursing assistant students Kenzie Bennett, Emalie Hardaway and Rhianna Kent chat with Gov. Brad Little before a press conference Wednesday.
  

    Idaho Gov. Brad Little, center, is surrounded by Kootenai Technical Education Campus students Wednesday after sharing details from the now-adjourned 2024 legislative session. Little's plans for education include supporting high school graduates going into in-demand fields and investing in school facilities.