But other lawmakers said those concerns are unfounded when it comes to this grant.
The money would instead be spent by local collaboratives made up of parents, faith leaders, teachers and businesses. Programs would also be monitored by the Idaho State Board of Education to ensure compliance.
“Absolutely no money will be used to teach social justice or human sexuality. This bill is about teaching reading and math to our young children,” said Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking (D-Boise).
Sen. Carl Crabtree (R-Grangeville) said it was pushed by conservative business leaders and approved by the Trump administration.
“This is a common-sense approach from business in Idaho and the Trump administration,” Crabtree said. “Makes sense to me.”
A federal early childhood education grant, which would invest money into local communities for early education initiatives, passed the Senate by one vote on Monday.
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Boise lawmaker working to fund full-day kindergarten programs
Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking (D-Boise), the sponsor of the bill, says it s time for the Gem State to prioritize early education. Author: Joe Parris Updated: 7:19 PM MDT April 6, 2021
BOISE, Idaho Idaho lawmakers returned to the Statehouse Tuesday after a two-week recess following a COVID-19 outbreak. Many topics are still up for debate, including a push for full-day kindergarten funding in Idaho.
“I’ve talked to a lot of school districts and a lot of parents in the last six months and I have yet to hear parents say they are not in favor of this,” said Sen. Janie Ward-Engleking (D-Boise), the sponsor of the funding bill.
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The proposal from Sen. Scott Grow (R-Eagle) would make it impossible for citizens to legalize medical or recreational marijuana – or any other psychoactive drugs not approved for use by the federal Food and Drug Administration.
During debate, Grow referred to Idaho as the “last foxhole” in the region that doesn’t have some form of legalized marijuana.
“Let Idahoans choose whether they want to live in a drug-free state – free from drug culture – or not,” he said.
Idaho is one of 14 states in the country where medical marijuana isn’t legal. It’s also one of just three states in the U.S. that outlaws products, like CBD oil, with trace amounts of THC, the plant’s main psychoactive compound. No amount of THC is legal here.