LAUNCH, school facilities funding bills accelerate in Legislature
Friday February 23, 2024Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little commented today on two of his key priorities reaching legislative milestones.
Funding for LAUNCH passed the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee with broad support and heads to the House. The popular grant program offers graduating high school seniors up to $8,000 to enter a training program aligned with an in-demand career, including jobs in construction, healthcare, agriculture, teaching, engineering, and others. The committee voted to fully fund the Governor’s recommendation.
In addition, the House overwhelmingly passed the school facilities funding and tax relief bill. The bill makes $2 billion available to improve school facilities over 10 years and reduces the flat income tax rate from 5.8% to 5.695% so working Idaho families can keep even more of what they earn.
“From the get-go, our goal has been to make Idaho the place where our children and grandchildren want to stay. Giving families back more of what they earn, supporting better learning environments for students, and keeping Idaho kids in Idaho after high school are all steps to get us there. I am so thankful to my partners in the Legislature for their support of LAUNCH and our school facilities funding and tax relief bill. I am proud to join them in recognizing what truly matters to Idahoans and for supporting families and kids in unprecedented new ways,” Governor Little said.