A trial judge has backed a plan from Gov. Roy Cooper and the State Board of Education on how to comply with North Carolina constitutional requirements in public education. Superior Court Judge David Lee signed a court order this week approving the proposal that calls on at least $5.6 billion in new education funding through 2028. But it can’t be carried out without funding from the legislature, and some Republicans aren't interesting in deferring to a judge on spending matters. The Democratic governor’s proposed budget and legislation filed by House Democrats would seek to fund the first two years of the plan.