The House voted 55-9 Wednesday in favor of HB436, which would expand the English Language Learner Family Literacy Centers Program across the state. The program, which provides extra resources for students learning English and their parents, already is in three Granite School District schools thanks to a Toyota grant.

Bill sponsor Rep. Greg Hughes, R-Draper, said support for the program could help attract Toyota to Utah and help students who struggle because they don't speak English fluently.

"Toyota is looking for opportunities to build a manufacturing plant," Hughes said. "They are looking for communities they could bring this plant to that invest in their work force."

Attempts to reach Toyota Wednesday were unsuccessful.

Senate leaders on Feb. 4 sent a letter to a Toyota vice president, Patricia Pineda, thanking the company for the Granite grant and asking it to consider Utah for a plant.

"We . . . understand that Toyota may have future interests for potential economic development that may include a motor assembly plant constructed in our state," the letter said. "As Utah's Legislature and Senate Leaders we welcome any such future thinking."

The Executive Appropriations Committee late Wednesday approved $5 million for the literacy centers.

HB436

Would provide funds to expand family literacy centers at schools that serve children who are learning English as a second language.