New Idaho GOP platform includes opposition to education funding

COEUR D’ALENE — The newly approved Idaho GOP platform will include opposition to funding education programs and technical education beyond high school.

Delegates voted on the platform Saturday morning during the final day of the three-day 2024 Idaho Republican Convention in Coeur d’Alene.

Reporters were not allowed inside the general session, as they had not been allowed in to any meetings or votes during the event.

There was a motion to strike the part of the proposed platform language that states the party doesn’t support “funding education with taxpayer money beyond high school” but the motion failed. The change to the platform was proposed by Canyon County delegate Scott Tilmaint.

The amendment adds on to the existing platform language, approved in 2022, that states the party supports “professional technical and continuing education programs that provide career readiness and college preparation” as well as that states support for “education and professional technical education to develop a well-trained workforce.”

Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield told the Idaho Press after the session that she thought the change was made because of opposition to the Idaho Launch program. Members of the Republican party have been divided in support for the program that provides grants to graduating high school seniors for higher education or job training programs for in-demand careers.

However, some members interpreted the language to mean the party opposes any funding for higher education, such as supporting state universities, community colleges, and scholarship programs.

Lt. Gov. Scott Bedke was concerned about the language used and the potential policy implications.

“I don’t think it’s in the state’s long-term best interest to not fund anything past high school,” Bedke said.

Bedke said debate on the motion to strike the amendment was limited before a question was called and the delegation took its vote.

Sen. Kevin Cook, R-Idaho Falls, had spoken in the platform committee against the amendment, also arguing that the state has an interest in supporting higher education, the Idaho Press reported Friday.

Latah County delegate Colton Bennett supported the new platform, and said it was about the opposition to Launch. He said the fact that the language included “programs” was an “important distinction” for how it should be interpreted.

Rep. Rod Furniss, R-Rigby, said he continues to support Launch and advanced education.

“If we don’t promote Idaho, we’ll fall behind other states,” Furniss said.

Critchfield noted that there’s been both support and opposition to the Launch program, and said that the debate is the reason for the convention. She’s optimistic that the intention was not to defund all higher education as a whole.

“The purpose of this gathering and this convention is for delegates to weigh in,” Critchfield said. “I’m choosing to believe that as Republicans, we support education.”

The delegation on Saturday voted on 11 total proposed platform amendments and additions approved by the platform committee earlier during the convention.

Guido covers Idaho politics for the Lewiston Tribune, Moscow-Pullman Daily News and Idaho Press of Nampa. She may be contacted at lguido@idahopress.com and can be found on Twitter @EyeOnBoiseGuido.