![2025 H39 Idaho LWVID Action Alert](https://my.lwv.org/sites/default/files/leagues/idaho/lwvid2025actionalertno1instagrampost.png)
ACTION ALERT: REGISTER YOUR OPPOSITION TO H39
Take action today by sending an email to all members of the House's Rev and Tax Committee NOW registering your opposition to H39. The League of Women Voters of Idaho takes action on an issue or advocates for a cause when there is an existing League position that supports the issue or speaks to the cause. Get involved!
THE THREAT
The Idaho Constitution requires that public schools are adequately funded by the state legislature. Legislators have chosen to push much of this responsibility down to already overburdened property taxpayers. To make matters worse, legislative proposals are now being considered to give state taxpayer funds to private and religious schools. Rural residents with few or no private school options will see their state tax dollars go to urban families with students who may already be in private and religious schools. At the same time, property owners will be asked to raise their taxes to keep their community schools open. Idaho citizens will continue to be asked to enable the Idaho Legislature’s irresponsibility.
THE BILL - H39
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit legislation provides for a refundable tax credit up to $5,000 for a parent, guardian or foster parent that incurs qualified education expenses for an eligible student. “Qualified expenses” include kindergarten through twelfth grade tuition and fees related to attending a nonpublic school, tutoring, taking assessments used to determine college admission, costs for textbooks, curriculum, and transportation costs for the purpose of receiving academic instruction. The refundable tax credit is increased up to $7,500 for special needs students that require ancillary personnel to assist in academic instruction. All families may apply for the refundable tax credit during the application timeframe, but families whose income is less than 300% of the federal poverty level receive the highest priority and can also elect to have a one-time advance tax credit payment in their first year of participation in the program.
Text of the Bill: Full Text of H39
ACTION ALERT
Send an email to all members of the House's Rev and Tax Committee NOW registering your opposition to H39 and any attempts to divert taxpayer dollars away from public schools and towards government handouts. Kathy Dawes has provided an example here. Use your own words and experiences!
Prepare to testify either remotely or in-person before the Committee. Contact a LAC Co-Chair to walk you through the steps. Language that is similar to what you write in your email is appropriate.
The bill will likely come up for a hearing next week so be prepared!
SAMPLE EMAIL/TESTIMONY
Members of the House Rev and Tax Committee,
Please vote NO on H 39. This bill is fiscally irresponsible, unconstitutional, and will harm public education, especially in the rural areas of my district.
I am too fiscally conservative to allow a free handout to parents who want me to pay for their child's private education.
If H39 becomes law, it will undoubtedly result in taxpayer funded lawsuits since it allows public funds to go to private religious schools, which is prohibited by the Idaho Constitution.
Private schools do not have to accept all students or follow state guidelines for standards of instruction, teacher certification, academic or financial reporting. Therefore, these schools would be free to spend public funds to hire unqualified administrators and teachers. They can also turn away any student, including those with special needs or those who do not adhere to their particular religious tenets.
The law would institute "School's Choice"... the ability of a school to choose only the students they wish to serve.
This is not how I want my tax dollars spent. Please vote NO on H39 and instead focus on your constitutional duty to fund our public schools. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kathy Dawes
Address
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR IDAHO HOUSE REV AND TAX COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Chair David M Cannon |
Vice Chair Jon O. Weber |
Charlie Shepard |
Jeff Ehlers |
Jason A. Monks |
Rick Cheatum |
Kevin Andrus |
Chris Bruce |
Jeff J. Cornilles |
Ted Hill |
John Shirts |
Jerald Raymond |
John Gannon |
Steve Berch |
Britt Raybould |
Need someone to review your writing? Contact LAC Co-Chairs Kathy Dawes (kdawes208@gmail.com), Jean Henscheid (jeanhenscheid@gmail.com), or Kendal Shaber (kendal.shaber1@my.nd.edu.au) for assistance!