In 2023, House Bill 24 created the Idaho Launch program, promising grants of at least $8,500 to graduating high school students for training in “in-demand careers.” The program is funded with $80 million a year in sales tax revenue, making it one of the largest ongoing education subsidies in state history.

While its supporters claim it will strengthen Idaho’s workforce, the reality is that Launch represents a massive expansion of state government, permanent entitlement-style spending and wealth redistribution that directly conflicts with the Idaho Republican Party platform. Rep. Tony Wisniewski, R–District 5, has been blunt about the dangers: “Once you start down this road, there’s no turning back. … This is taking money from taxpayers, giving it to an 18-year-old kid … and what you don’t

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