James Woodward — Senator Woodward was called on during the discussion and then spoke to request a motion, continuing the same procedural exchange.
James Woodward — Senator James Woodward moved to send RS 33318 to print and then voted aye on the motion.
Carrie Semmelroth — Senator Carrie Semmelroth is identified as the sponsor/presenter of Senate Bill 1244 and then introduces herself as the Senator for District 17, establishing her identity and role in the discussion.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Janie Ward-Engelking was recorded as voting aye during the roll-call vote.
Kevin Cook — Senator Kevin Cook introduces RS 3318 and explains that, as a JFAC member, he is proposing modest budget reductions/holdbacks to improve the bottom line without causing undue harm. He says JFAC approved a 1% holdback for 2026 and 2% for 2027, and argues the proposal should apply to the parental choice tax credit because it functions as a tax credit rather than a general-fund item. In response to criticism, he contends that K-12 was not truly held harmless, cites reductions he says were already made in JFAC, and argues that if one area is taking a haircut, other programs should share in the cuts as well. He further defends the proposal by noting that some recipients receive more back than they pay in taxes, that the program affects the general fund, and that JFAC has already voted to take $10 million from Launch in each of 2026 and 2027, with Launch and the voucher program representing significant budget items.
Kevin Cook — Voted aye on the motion.
Tammy Nichols — The speaker thanks Senator Carlson, then begins a response and indicates she will vote no.
Tammy Nichols — Argues against cutting the program in its first year of implementation and says she would vote against it.
Tammy Nichols — The response is directed to the prior objection.
Tammy Nichols — Says she understands the need for cuts but raises concerns, including a technicality.
Tammy Nichols — Raised a procedural concern about whether the proposal belongs in tax code rather than education code and asked how that affects the bill's path.
Tammy Nichols — Asked whether the proposal remains in education or should be treated as a tax bill, then raised concern that the new school choice tax credit is still open for applications.
Tammy Nichols — Argued that the new program should be kept whole for now because the application window is still open and there is strong interest.
Tammy Nichols — Asked how much the launch program will be cut and objected that it is not a tax credit.
Tammy Nichols — Asked for the total amount going into Launch in 2026 and 2027 to understand the percentage impact.
Tammy Nichols — Voted aye on the motion.
Cindy Carlson — Cindy Carlson is referenced in connection with concerns about the new program, with the discussion noting that her point aligns with the observation that the program is only in its first year.
Cindy Carlson — Senator Cindy Carlson requested a roll call vote and was subsequently recorded as voting nay.
Christy Zito — Christy Zito argued that the proposal is a tax credit and that Idaho families are already being squeezed by inflation. She added that returning tax dollars or reducing the tax burden helps families afford necessities like school and food, and that cutting taxes is beneficial for the economy. The exchange then continued with Senator Cook responding in the same discussion about how launch and parental choice should not be treated as the same issue.
Christy Zito — Voted nay on the motion; transcription rendered the vote as 'May' but context indicates 'Nay.'
Van Burtenshaw — Voted aye on the motion.
Dave Lent — Dave Lent was recorded as voting aye on the motion.
Carrie Semmelroth — Carrie Semmelroth was recorded as voting aye during the roll-call, with her name transcribed first as 'Summeroth' and then correctly as 'Semmelroth.'
Janie Ward-Engelking — The speaker is asking for questions and requesting a due pass recommendation.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Makes the motion to send Senate Bill 1244 to the floor with a due pass recommendation.
Janie Ward-Engelking — The chair thanks the senator after the motion carries and asks who will carry the bill on the floor.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Notes that the State Department of Education took a 3% cut and that it is ongoing.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Explains that K-12 funding has been cut and that additional reductions may be coming.
Janie Ward-Engelking — Added that the $80 million is a dedicated fund from House Bill 1 and not money from the general fund.