Easley signs $20.7 billion budget, praises authors' 'courage'

RALEIGH, N.C. (Rocky Mount Telegram) — Gov. Mike Easley gave the final endorsement to a $20.7 billion state budget Tuesday, saying its General Assembly authors showed courage in boosting education spending and relieving counties' Medicaid burden.

The House and Senate gave final approval Monday to their most expansive legislation of the year, with praise from majority party Democrats who said it will improve education, expand health care research and shift Medicaid costs from counties to the state by mid-2009.