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  The money is part of a $26 billion bill aimed at helping teachers and other public workers avoid layoffs, and will be funneled to Idaho schools as they head into their worst budget year.

  Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna said the education money is expected to be distributed to states within 45 days and that it appears school districts will have up to 27 months to spend their portion.

• Idaho budget writers approve cuts for substance abuse treatment, public television and higher education

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  SUBSTANCE ABUSE

  The budget for substance abuse treatment fell from about $30 million in the current fiscal year to $28.7 million in 2011. Of that, $12.5 million comes from General Funds. The budget also includes money from the Millennium Fund and the Office of Drug Policy.

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  We told you so.

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• Kevin Richert: Idaho's $60 million (or so) school budget gap

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  T he 2010 legislative session was history-making bad for Idaho public schools.

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  Will this cut establish the new normal for Idaho schools and its 275,000 K-12 students?

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