For the first time in state history, Idaho tax dollars will be used to subsidize the cost of tuition for private schools.
In 2025, Idaho lawmakers passed House Bill 93 — a law that sends $50 million in public taxpayer money to private schools. Despite record-breaking public opposition, it was signed into law with no cap, no oversight, and no guarantee that public dollars are used responsibly.
And this is just the beginning. In other states, similar programs ballooned into multi-million dollar schemes that drained public school budgets, raised local taxes, and failed to improve outcomes for students.
The voucher program gives private-school families a tax credit of up to $5,000 per student and $7,500 per student with special needs. Families can receive far more than what they pay in taxes and strip away more money than public schools would have received.
vouchers are not about choice, they’re about defunding public schools and privatizing education.
Idaho families can choose from charter, magnet, online, homeschool, and private options.
Vouchers don’t add options — they just siphon resources from local schools.
In rural communities, there often are no private schools. These families lose the most.
Rural schools Lose.
In many rural counties, there are no private schools. So when funds are pulled from the state education budget for vouchers, rural public schools lose out — with no chance of benefiting from the program. It’s harmful to the families who rely most on their local schools.
In Idaho, nearly half of all Idaho counties (18) do not contain a single private school. Despite this, rural tax dollars will help subsidize payouts to private institutions in Idaho’s most urban counties.
Every Idaho child deserves access to a strong neighborhood school.
Public schools are the heart of our communities. They educate 94% of Idaho students, provide community spaces, gathering places, and more.
From special education to sports to mental health support, public schools serve every student who walks through the door.
Our Constitution guarantees public education. It’s not a luxury, it’s a duty.
public dollars to private institutions with no accountability.
The new law creates a $50 million private school voucher program — with no cap, no oversight, and no guarantees of transparency.
Unlike public schools, these programs don’t require background checks, financial reporting, or nondiscrimination protections.
In other states, vouchers paid for trampolines, kayaks, even theme park tickets. Idaho has no safeguards in place to prevent the same.
HB 93 is just the beginning.
This isn’t a one-time expense. It’s the first step in a long-term plan to privatize education. Other states started with small voucher bills and within two years, Arizona’s program exploded from $65M to $332M. Idaho’s law includes no long-term limits. Lawmakers have said they plan to “reevaluate next session,” which signals a plan to expand. Once the money starts flowing, it’s hard to stop.
Upcoming Town Hall Events
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Coeur d'Alene Town Hall
Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025
6:30 PM to 8:00 PMLake City Center
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Sandpoint Town Hall
Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025
6:30 PM to 8:00 PMPonderay Event Center
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Priest River Town Hall
Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025
11:00 AM to 12:30 PMWest Bonner Library District
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Post falls town hall
Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025
4:00PM to 5:30 PMPost Falls High School Auditorium
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McCall Town Hall
Monday, Sept. 22, 2025
6:30PM to 8:00 PMMcCall Library
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Lewiston Town Hall
Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025
6:30PM to 8:00 PMLewiston High School
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Moscow Town Hall
Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2025
6:30PM to 8:00PM
1912 Center
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Grangeville Town Hall
Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025
6:30PM to 8:00 PMGrangeville Senior Center
