From Carolina Journal Program No. 686: The General Assembly’s final deal on a $22.3 billion General Fund budget includes spending growth of 2.8 percent, teacher pay raises averaging 4.7 percent, state employee raises and bonuses, more than $400 million in additional savings for the state’s rainy-day fund, and more income tax relief targeting low- and middle-income earners. Becki Gray, the John Locke Foundation’s vice president for outreach, analyzes key elements of the budget plan.