RALEIGH -- Governor McCrory signed into law the $21 billion budget Thursday at a ceremony at the executive mansion. He touted the bill as being a win for North Carolinians.

McCrory said the budget has, "No reductions in Medicaid eligibility. It has no tax increases. It has very good pay increases for our teachers throughout North Carolina. It has very good pay raises for our highway patrol and for our court employees. It has solid pay raises for all state employees, which are needed."

The budget was approved by the legislature last week, more than a month overdue.