To the Editor,
Last year's passage of the Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit cost public schools $50 million — money pulled directly from the state's General Fund. Now legislators propose expanding the program to $339 million, dollars that would no longer be available for public schools, roads, or other essential services.
This comes as Idaho is already in a financial crisis. The state began this year with a $40.3 million deficit, forcing a permanent 4% funding cut across most agencies — with another permanent 5% cut next year. The consequences are real: transportation, wildfire response, school safety, treatment courts, Medicaid, disability services, water quality monitoring, and public defense have all either lost funding already or face deep cuts.
The program offers a state tax credit of $5,000 to $7,500 per child for families choosing private or homeschooling. A family with four children could receive a tax credit of up to $30,000 — which can be applied toward tuition, supplies, and state taxes owed, with any remaining balance refunded.
Public school budgets are frozen at last year's levels, even as costs continue to rise for utilities, transportation, and supplies. Special education faces a $100 million funding gap. In rural communities — where there often are no private school options — public schools are the only choice, and funding shortfalls hit these families the hardest. Levies become the source to increase funding.
Can Idaho afford to raise the cap to $339?  I think not.
Vickie Fadness