BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Last month, a dispute over giving $3 million to education technology pilot programs helped delay the 2013 Legislature. With that resolved, the Idaho State Department of Education began taking applications for the money Monday, with schools chief Tom Luna inviting schools to submit bids by June 14.

The program is intended to provide startup cash for programs that can be expanded elsewhere. But in the Legislature's waning days, concerns arose, among other things, that Republican Sen. Dean Cameron of Rupert devised the program as a way of earmarking cash for an existing program at Paul Elementary, in his district.

Cameron said he hoped Paul gets money, but rejected suggestions he sought to steer state funds to constituents. The money survived, with a few additional provisions to ensure it's distributed fairly.

 

 

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