Brown said California's finances are "in very solid shape" after years of deficits and touted increased spending on schools and healthcare for the poor.
"It is a big day for schoolkids. It's a big day for Californians who don't have healthcare," Brown said. "California is the leader. The rest of the country is looking to see how we did it."
The budget, which takes effect Monday, will change education funding, diverting some money from wealthier schools to districts with large numbers of poor students or English learners. Brown also signed bills expanding healthcare, part of President Obama's federal overhaul.
Although the final budget hews closely to the governor's original blueprint, it also includes new funding sought by Democratic lawmakers for welfare, university tuition assistance, mental health and dental care for poor adults.
