Gov. Signs Bill Defying No Child Left Behind

Republican Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. signed a measure in Salt Lake City defying the Bush administration's No Child Left Behind Act despite a warning from the government that it could cost $76 million in federal aid.

The bill represents the strongest stand against the federal law among 15 states considering legislation against No Child Left Behind this year. Utah is an overwhelmingly Republican state that strongly supported President Bush.

The legislation gives Utah's education standards priority over federal requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act. It lets education officials ignore provisions of federal law that conflict with the state's program.