By Ruth Brown, Idaho Brown 

The Idaho Senate approved funding for the Idaho Launch grant program in a 21-14 vote Tuesday.  

The program is promoted by Gov. Brad Little and aimed at workforce development. It will provide graduating high school seniors with up to $8,000 for tuition and fees to pursue in-demand careers. The Legislature established the program last year after it passed the House by a single vote.  

HB 722 provides nearly $80 million to fund the first year of Idaho Launch grants. The funding will provide grants to more than 8,000 students.  

The bill, which only provides funding for the program, narrowly passed the House in March and now heads to the governor’s desk for signature. 

More than 13,000 students have already applied for the program, according to Little’s office. 

Sponsor Sen. Dave Lent, R-Idaho Falls, said the grants are a way to help students get marketable skills for the workforce. 

Sen. Ben Adams, R-Nampa, voted against the bill. He argued that students often change their major, and policy concerns about how students can use the Launch funds are still there. 

“The policy remains unfixed,” Adams said. “So as long as that giant hole remains unfixed, I can’t support this budget.” 

Sens. Adams, Carlson, Den Hartog, Foreman, Hart, Herndon, Lenney, Okuniewicz, Toews, Trakel, Winder, Zuiderveld, Bjerke, and Nichols voted against the appropriation bill.