In another in a series of report cards on how North Idaho legislators voted, Jim Pierce, the second vice chairman of the Idaho Republican Party, reports on votes involving Career Technical Education:

The 2016 legislative session featured a governor-supported focus on education, particularly professional technical education, now called Career Technical Education (CTE). CTE is high school, college and non-credit workforce training focused on the industries and occupations prevalent in Idaho, including health professions, agriculture and natural resources, skilled and technical sciences, engineering and technology, plus more. Programs and classes are offered in high school and post-secondary institutions.

During the Great Recession, higher education experienced quite a reduction in funding from the state. While this reduction was necessary to balance the state budget, Gov.Otter has pledged that he would restore that funding in alignment with the recommendations from his Education Task Force. HB637 provided for a 6.9 percent increase to higher education including increasing salaries and other programs. The success of these bills in the legislature marks a commitment by the legislature to support career preparation for Idaho students. More here.

DFO: Rep. Vito Barbieri would have made the "usual suspects" list but he twice voted yes on bills involving career technical education. Only two other North Idaho representatives voted no once on these 4 pieces of legislation. All other North Idaho representatives supported all four bills.

---

---