Governor Josh Stein on Tuesday signed Senate Bill 257 into law, approving North Carolina’s first full state budget in more than two years. The spending plan includes significant investments in teacher pay, public safety, Medicaid, child care, community colleges, and western North Carolina’s recovery while drawing criticism from the governor over several provisions included by lawmakers.

Stein said the budget represents bipartisan progress and delivers on several priorities for North Carolinians, including the largest starting teacher pay raise in nearly 50 years and the largest overall teacher pay increase in 15 years. The measure also fully funds Medicaid for the year, provides historic salary increases for public safety officers, and continues funding for western North Carolina’s recovery.

The budget also eliminates the tax exemption for electricity used by data centers and includes funding for community colleges, the Division of Motor Vehicles, child care, cybersecurity, a new veterans’ home, clean drinking water projects, and summer food programs for children.

Despite signing the legislation, Stein criticized several provisions in the budget. He said lawmakers eliminated more than 1,000 state government positions, which he argued could make it more difficult to provide public services and protect public health and safety.

The governor also objected to provisions he described as unconstitutional and opposed measures that shift authority from the executive branch and limit local governments, particularly the City of Charlotte.

“North Carolinians expect their elected officials to come together across our differences to deliver for people,” Stein said in a statement. “This budget proves we can work together to get things done.”

Stein said additional investments will still be needed in public safety, education, and other public services to keep North Carolina competitive and continue serving residents effectively.

In addition to Senate Bill 257, Stein signed House Bill 56, which makes technical corrections to the state budget.