As Carcieri signed the expected veto at shortly after noon today, he tore into Democratic legislative leaders for a budget that would eliminate an education-aid increase, keep funding in for a new state courthouse in Lincoln and raises taxes.

"This budget in my judgment puts the burden of the state's fiscal crisis clearly on the backs of Rhode Island families," Carcieri said in opening his veto press conference at the State House.

Carcieri had touted his budget proposal as one that provided a 3-percent across the board education aid increase to communities. But he had also sought to cut 1,000 state employees jobs, a proposal that came in for heavy criticism.

Carcieri said he opposed the $6.99 billion spending plan because it cuts school aid, raises taxes, "squanders" a one-time payment from tobacco settlement funds and limits the governor's ability to use private firms.

He says the budget prioritizes a new $113 million courthouse in Lincoln at the expense of property taxpayers and communities.

He said the General Assembly eliminated his proposal to increase school aid by 3 percent. The assembly also eliminated his proposal to include $5 million in scholarship money, he said.

Carcieri claims the General Assembly's spending plan "will result in school budget cuts that will impact children, putting tremendous pressure on property taxes."

The governor had promised to veto the budget immediately after it was passed by the Senate Tuesday evening. The proposal was the same as that passed by the House early last Saturday morning.