LAUNCH, facilities funding bills accelerate

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 recommendations in my IDAHO WORKS plan.

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.

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.