Easley puts out some details in last budget

RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov. Mike Easley's budget proposal will include $31 million more in part to expand children's health insurance and child care subsidies, and help homeowners at risk of foreclosure.

Easley released Thursday a few details about the spending plan he'll present to the Legislature next week. This is Easley's final budget plan while in office.

The governor said about one-third of the money would be used to get another 10,700 children in low-income families enrolled in a federal-state health insurance program. Another $9 million would take about 1,100 children off of the waiting list for child care subsidies. And $8 million would benefit adults participating in foster care or adoption programs.

About $1 million will go toward housing counselors to help homeowners avoid foreclosure.

The Legislature would have to approve the requests.

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