Governor Josh Stein has officially signed the long-awaited $34 billion state budget for North Carolina, which includes provisions for lower taxes, significant raises for state employees, and dedicated funding for education, wildlife crossings, and local needs. The budget allocates 8% average raises for teachers and addresses various local issues, though it faced criticism for certain cuts, including $1 billion from Medicaid and concerns about public safety staffing. Lawmakers are optimistic about the budget’s impact, although some have expressed dissatisfaction with the compromises made during negotiations.