Conservative, rural Idahoans join Democrats for press conference on fiscal irresponsibility of ‘refundable tax credits’
BOISE (Feb. 7, 2025) – The Idaho House of Representatives took up H93 this morning, Rep. Wendy Horman’s (R-Idaho Falls) bill to subsidize private and religious school tuition through a tax credit without basic accountability standards for those schools.
At 2 p.m. MST, there will be a press conference in the statehouse in West Wing room 17 to speak directly to the 314,000 Idaho families with kids in public schools, teachers, taxpayers, and the business community about why H93 is the wrong path for Idaho.
“This is a voucher scheme that opens a door that cannot be closed and has busted the budgets of every state that has allowed it,” said House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel. “Idaho must keep public dollars in public schools where they are badly needed, not siphon those dollars away to welfare for the wealthy. People should contact their legislators and the Governor immediately – time is running out to stop this.”
One of the slated press conference speakers is former Caldwell Republican Rep. Julie Yamamoto, who lost her primary after dark money, pro-voucher groups spread lies about her through direct mailers.
“It is fiscally reckless to ask the taxpayers of Idaho to subsidize their wealthy neighbor’s private school choice,” said Yamamoto. “We are seeing what happens when out-of-state billionaires come after lawmakers who stand up for public education and accountability for taxpayer dollars.”
Other speakers include:
- Rod Gramer, former president at CEO of Idaho Business for Education, a group of more than 250 business owners that oppose H93
- Stoney Winston, Fruitland School District Superintendent
- Norman Stewart, Marsing School District Superintendent
- Alexis Morgan, President, Idaho PTA
- Terri Sanders, a special education teacher from Mountain Home
- Alicia Purdy, special education teacher, Vallivue School District
- Assistant Senate Minority Leader James Ruchti (D-Pocatello)
To arrange interviews with the speakers, please attend the press conference or text Caitlin Copple at (406) 493-4281.