BuildingaStateBudget:
ExploringNorthCarolina’sStateServicesandFunding
Overview
StudentswillexplorethebudgetingprocessinNorthCarolina,gaininganunderstandingofthedifferent
categoriesofourstate’sbudget,howtheyarefunded,andthestate’sprocedureformakingabudget.
Studentswillparticipateinanexperientialactivityinwhichtheycreateabalancedstatebudget,determining
whatareastoprioritizeandthendefendingtheirdecisionstofellowlegislators.Studentswillfurtherdiscuss
currenteventsregardinghowNorthCarolinaisbeingaffectedbythenation’seconomiccrisisandhow
legislatorsareaddressingourstatesdirebudgetshortfall.
Grade
10
NCEssentialStandardsforAmericanHistory:TheFoundingPrinciplesofCivicsandEconomics
• FP.C&G.2.1:Analyzethestructuresofnational,stateandlocalgovernmentsintermsofwaystheyare
organizedtomaintainorder,security,welfareofthepublicandtheprotectionofcitizens.
• FP.C&G.2.2:SummarizethefunctionsofNorthCarolinastateandlocalgovernmentswithinthefederal
systemofgovernment.
• FP.C&G.2.4.:ComparetheConstitutionsandstructuresoftheUnitedStatesandNorthCarolina
government.
• FP.C&G.2.7:Analyzecontemporaryissuesandgovernmentalresponsesatthelocal,state,andnational
levelsintermsofhowtheypromotethepublicinterestand/orgeneralwelfare.
• FP.C&G.3.2:Comparelawmakingprocessesoffederal,state,andlocalgovernments.
• FP.C&G.3.3:Analyzelawsandpoliciesintermsoftheirintendedpurposes,whohasauthoritytocreate
themandhowtheyareenforced.
EssentialQuestions
• HowdoesNorthCarolinacreateabudgetforourstate?
• Whataretherequirementsinthebudgetprocess?Whoarethemainactorsinthebudgetingprocess?
• Howdolegislatorsdeterminefundingpriorities?Howdolegislatorsadjustourstate’sbudgetintimesof
crisis?
• WhatarethemajorareasthatarefundedbytheNorthCarolinastatebudget?
• WhatarevarioussourcesofrevenueforNorthCarolina?Howdoesthestategovernmentreactwhen
thosesourcesarediminished?
Materials
• UnderstandingNorthCarolina’sBudget-notesandkey,attached
• NCBudgetBasics,shortvideosummarizingthestatebudgetat
http://www.osbm.state.nc.us/ncosbm/budget/budgetbasics.shtm(optional)
• BuildingaBudgethandoutsforLegislatorandBudgetOfficer(copybothrolesonwhitepaper),attached
• BuildingaBudgethandoutsforGovernorandStateBudgetDirector(copybothrolesoncoloredpaper),
attached
• BudgetHomework,attached
• Articleon2009budgetcrisis,attached
• “NorthCarolinagovernor'sbudgetvetooverturned”,Reutersarticle,attached
1
Duration
60-90minutes
Procedure
1.
2.
3.
Ø
4.
5.
6.
HowMuchDoesNorthCarolinaSpend…andonWhat?
Asawarm-up,askstudentshowmuchtheythinkthestateofNorthCarolinaspendseachyearonits
budget.Asstudentsoffernumbers,writetheirresponsesontheboardandgivethemcluestohelplead
themtotherightanswer(i.e.thumbsuptosolicitahighernumber,thumbsdownifstudentsneedto
guesslower).Finally,writeontheboardandsharewithstudentsthattheapproximatedtotalamount
spentbyNorthCarolinaisaround$19to$20billiondollars.Askstudentstosharewhethertheyare
surprisedbythisnumberandwhy.
Next,askstudentswhatservicestheythinkthestategovernmentprovideswiththatkindofmoney.
Teachersshouldsolicitresponsessuchas:education,healthcare,payingfortheoperationsof
government,retirementbenefits,prisons,payinginterestonpreviousinvestmentdebt,etc.
GuidedNotes–UnderstandingNorthCarolina’sStateBudget
Passouttheattachedguidednotestostudentsandexplainthattheywillbeexploringthedifferent
categoriesofourstate’sbudget,howtheyarefunded,andthestate’sprocedureformakingabudget.
Teachersshouldconveytheinformationindiscussionformat,askingquestionstoelicittheinformation
fromstudentsasmuchaspossible.Tellstudentsthatitisimportanttheypayattentionandaskquestions
shouldtheyarise,sincetheywillsoonberesponsibleforcreatingabudgetforourstatethemselves!
(Teachersmaywanttofilloutaprojectedcopyofthenotesalongwithstudents,aswellasprovidethe
attachedcopywiththeanswerstostudentswithspecialneeds.)
Optional:IfyouhaveInternetaccess,ahelpfulvideoisavailabletofurtherexplainthestate’sbudget
processtostudents:http://www.osbm.state.nc.us/ncosbm/budget/budgetbasics.shtm
PartnerActivity-BuildingaStateBudget
Dividestudentsintopartners(ifanunevennumberofstudentsarepresent,creatingagroupof3isfine–
teachersshouldjustexplaintostudentswhichrolewillbesharedandhelpthosestudentsdivvyupthe
responsibilitiesoftheirsharedrole.)Handouttheattached“BuildingaBudget”assignmentsheets.
PartnersshouldreceivetheroleofLegislatorandBudgetOfficerorGovernorandStateBudgetDirector.
(TeachersshouldensurethereisanevennumberofpartnersworkingastheLegislatorandBudgetOfficer
comparedtotheGovernorandStateBudgetDirector,sincethesetwosetsofdifferingpartnershipswillbe
combiningtomakegroupsoffourdifferentrolesinthesecondstageofthisactivity.Itisrecommendedthe
handoutsbecopiedontwodifferentcolorsofpapertomakethistransitioneasierwhenpartnersmerge
intogroupsoffour.)
Explainthatthehandoutprovidedtothemwillexplaintheirrole,theirresponsibilities,andthestepsthey
willtaketocreateabudget.Givestudentsafewmomentstosilentlyreadtheirsheetsandaskany
questions.Tellstudentstheywillhaveapproximately15minutestodevelopabudgetforthestateof
NorthCarolinawiththeirpartner.(Teachersshouldfeelfreetoalterthetimespecificationsdependingon
theacademiclevelofstudents.)Oncestudentsareclearontheirassignment,instructthemtobegintheir
brainstormingasnotedinthedirections.
Teachersshouldcirculatearoundtheroomandmonitorpartnersastheywork.Ensurestudentsare
abidingbythetimerecommendationsgivenandstayingontask.
2
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
GroupActivity–DefendingYourStateBudget&ReachingaCompromise
Onceallpartnershavefinishedsteps1-3,havestudentsformgroupsof4.Eachgroupshouldcontaina
LegislatorandBudgetOfficer,aswellasaGovernorandStateBudgetDirector.
Tellstudentsthattheywillnowhaveapproximately10minutestopresenttheirbudgetstotheopposing
partnershipthenfreelydiscussanddebateeachother’sbudgetsinanattempttocometoanagreement
onafinalversionofthestate’sbudget.Goovertheinstructionsasnotedonstudenthandouts,noting
thattheLegislatorwillfirsthaveupto2uninterruptedminutestoexplainthebudgetcreatedbythe
LegislatorandtheBudgetOfficer,attemptingtoconvincetheGovernorandStateBudgetDirectorofits
importanceandvalidity.(TheStateBudgetDirectorshouldwatchtheclockandlettheLegislatorknow
whenhis/hertimehasreached2minutes.Studentsshouldbeallowedtofinishthesentencetheyareon.)
WhiletheLegislatorpresents,theGovernorandStateBudgetDirectorshouldrespectfullylistenandtake
notesonwhattheyhear,writingdownanyquestions,opposingpointstheyhopetomake,etc.Then,the
groupwillrepeatthesameprocesswiththeGovernorpresentingthebudgetcreatedbyhe/sheandthe
StateBudgetDirectorinupto2uninterruptedminutes,withtheLegislatorandBudgetOfficerlikewise
writingdownquestionsandthoughts.(TheBudgetOfficershouldwatchtheclockandlettheGovernor
knowwhen2minutesareup.)
Tellstudentsthatafterbothbudgetshavebeenpresented,thegroupswillopenlydiscussanddebatetheir
twobudgets,whichwilllikelybequitedifferentsincethepartnershipshaddifferentbudgetpriorities.
RemindstudentsthatiftheGovernor’steampresentsabudgetthattheLegislator’steamdoesnotagree
with,theLegislatorhasthepowertovoteagainstthatbudget.Likewise,theGovernorcanvetothe
Legislator’sbudget.However,becauseboththeGovernorteamandtheLegislatorteamwillfacereelection,itwouldn’tmakemuchsenseforeitherteamtocompletelygiveupontheirpriorities,notfunda
department,orrefusetocompromise,sincenoneofthatwouldlookgoodtothevoters.Tellstudents
theymustthusattempttoreconciletheirtwobudgetsandvaryingprioritieswithoneanother,creatinga
finalbudgetthattheycanalllivewith(studentsshouldwritetheirrevisedgroup-determinedbudget
allocationsinColumnIIontheirhandouts.)
Tellstudentsthatattheendof5-6minutes,theywillreporttothepeopleofNorthCarolina(meaning,the
remainderofclass)in“pressconferenceformat”regardingwhethertheywereabletoreachacompromise
onthestatebudget,oriftheyarestilllockedindisagreement,andwhattheirreasoningisbehindtheir
finalbudgetallocationsortheirlackofafinalizedbudget.(Itisrecommendedthatteachersinstructthe
studentplayingtheroleofGovernorineachgrouptobethisspokesperson.)
OncestudentshavefinishedtheactivityandtheGovernorshavesummarizedtheirgroup’sdiscussionto
theremainderofclass,furtherdiscuss:
• Whatwasdifficultaboutcreatingthestate’sbudget?
• Howrealisticwasthisexercise?Whodoyouthinkismissingfromthepicture?(teachersmightsuggest
lobbyists,thefederalgovernment,localgovernments,universityofficials,etc.)
• DoyouthinktheGeneralAssemblyandGovernorcouldactuallyhandlesuchhugeamountsofmoney
withastaffoftwo?(Thepurposeofthisquestionistodiscusstherealityversusfictionoftheactivity
studentsparticipatedin.Forexample,theStateBudgetDirectorisarealposition,buthasalargestaff
whendealingwiththebudget.TheBudgetOfficerisapersonificationoftheFiscalResearchDivision,
whichprovidessupporttothelegislatureonthebudget.Inactuality,whenthestatebudgetis
created,itisn’tjustpartnersorgroupsoffourhavingdiscussionsandmakingfinaldecisions.)
• Doyouthinkstateofficialscanjustmovemoneyaroundhowevertheyfeel?(Discusswithstudents
thatthestatehasrequirementsonsomeofthefundsitreceives-suchasfederalhighwayfunds,
grantsforneedypopulations,etc.)
3
•
Howdoesthestatedeterminethesizeofitsbudget(inthiscase,$19billion)?(Explainthatinthe
budgetingprocess,revenuesareestimatedearlyon,andabudgetismadebasedonthoseestimates.)
12. ShowstudentsGovernorBeverlyPerdue’ssuggestedbudgetfor2011-2013,ordoaninternetsearchand
replacethesenumberswithcurrentamounts:
FundType
2011-2012Amount
2012-2013Amount
(millions)
(millions)
PublicSchools(K-12)
$7,572million
$7,598million
CommunityColleges
$1,016million
$1,022million
UNCSystem
$2,651million
$2,670million
HealthandHumanServices $4,715million
$4,937million
PublicSafety
$2,207million
$2,209million
Gen.Gov’tandNatural
$431million
$433million
Resources
DebtService
$698million
$784million
CapitalFunding
$5million
$0
Discuss:
• WhatcategoriesdoesitappearthatGovernorPerdueandtheGeneralAssemblyprioritized?Doyou
agreethattheseshouldbeareasofpriority,orwouldyouhaveallocatedmorefundstodifferent
categories?Explain.
• HowdoesNorthCarolina’sactualbudgetcompare/contrastwiththeoneyoucreated?
• HowmuchflexibilitydoyoubelievetheGovernorhasinchangingthebudget?
• Doesthestatehavetheoptionofnotmakingpaymentsonitsdebt?(Explainthatfailingtomeetdebt
paymentswouldhurtthestate’sbondrating,andpeoplewouldbelesswillingtobuyNorthCarolina’s
debt.ThatwouldmeanNorthCarolinawouldfinancelessprojectsbecauseitwouldn’tbeableto
borrowasmuchmoney.Ifstudentsarehavingahardtimeunderstanding,thisconceptcanbelinked
tocarpayments.Ifastudentfinancestheircar,butislateormissesapayment,theircreditratinggoes
downandtheyarelesslikelytobeabletoborrowinthefuture).
NorthCarolina’sBudgetTroubles
13. Askstudentstosharewhattheyhaveheardrecentlyregardingbudgetsandtheeconomy.Likely,a
studentwillnotethattherehasbeenmuchattentiongiventothenationaleconomiccrisis,whichisalso
affectingstatebudgets.Manystateshavelessmoneytoallocatetoalloftheirpressingneeds.Provide
studentswiththefollowingscenario:theGovernor’sofficeprojectedbudgetshortfallsof10%ofthe$19
billiondollarbudget(approximately$1.9billionincuts)intheupcomingbudget.Discuss:
• Howdoyouimaginethislossofbillionsofdollarswillaffectourstate?
• Howwillthisaffectthebudgetaryprocess?
• Ifyouweretaskedwithgoingbacktothebudgetyouandyourpartnerorgroupcreatedandshaving
1.9billionoffofit,howwouldyoudothis?(Teachersmaywanttogivestudentsafewmomentsto
ponderthisscenariointheirgroupsandreportbacktheirideas.)
14. Explaintostudentsthatourstatedevelopedacrosstheboardcutsof3%,5%,and7%toaccountforthe
lackoffunds.Thestateeventuallyassumedbudgetcutsacrosstheboardof7%,reducedtravel,and
4
stoppedhiringnewemployees.Thereareanumberofwaystocutthebudgetthatareoftenexploredina
timeofcrisis.Sometimesthecutsareacrosstheboardandsometimesdepartmentspecific.
15. OptionalActivity#1:Distributetheattachednewsarticle(oranothercurrenteventarticle)thatdetails
thestate’seconomicsituationshortlyafterthe2008FinancialCrisis,beforetheAmericanReinvestment
andRecoveryAct(colloquiallyknownas“theStimulus”)wasimplemented.Havestudentsread,either
individuallyorinpairs,thendiscuss:
• HowhasGovernorPerduehandledthestatebudgetcrisisthusfar?
• Asthebudgetcrisisworsens,whattypesofprogramsarevulnerable?
• Whatdoyouthinkoftheproposedcutstomentalhealthservices?Whatdoyouthinkthe
consequenceswouldbetothepatients?Tothelargerpopulation?
• Canbudgetcutsbea“good”thing?Inwhatwaywouldcuttingabudgetbe“good”?
• Whatdoyouthinktheauthor’sopinionofGovernorPerdue’sactionsis?Doyouagreeordisagree?
• Whowouldbeimpactedbytheproposed$19.6millioncutinpublictransportation?
• Whydoestheauthorsayto“prayforrain”fromWashington?Howmightthestimuluspackageaffect
stategovernmentsfacingbudgetdeficits?
16. OptionalActivity#2:Distributetheattached“Senatecompletesoverrideofbudgetveto”articlethat
detailsthedisagreementsoverthe2011-2013budgetbetweenGovernorPerdueandtheLegislature.
Havestudentsread,eitherindividuallyorinpairs,thendiscuss:
• Whatisthetotalbudget?
o $19.7billion
• HowdidtheRepublicancontrolledlegislaturebalancethebudget?
o Theybalancedthebudgetwithoutincreasingtaxes.
• Whyisthisbudgetconsidereda“historicfeat”?
o It’sthefirsttimethattheGovernorhasevervetoedabudgetandthefirsttimetheGovernor’s
budgetvetohasbeenoverridden.
• WhydidGovernorPerduevetothebudget?
o Shefeltthatitcuttoomuchfromeducation.
• HowdidRepublicansrespondtotheaccusationthatthebudgetwouldharmeducation?
o Thebudgetisfiscallyresponsibleandthat“childrenaregoingtocontinuetolearn.Everything
isgoingtobefine.”
• Whodoyouagreewith,GovernorPerdueortheLegislature?Why?
• Whymighttaxcutsbedifficulttopassduringaneconomiccrisiswheretheunemploymentrateis
closeto10%?
• Whatmighthappentogovernmentservicesifthecutsaretoodeep?
17. Distributethe“ReviewaBudget”worksheettobecompletedforhomework.
AdditionalActivities
• “BalancetheBudgetChallenge”OnlineGame:
o StudentsareassignedthetaskofhelpingGovernorBevPerdue’sdog,Charlie,balancethestate’s
budgetandeliminatethedeficit.
o http://www.governor.state.nc.us/budgetapp/
5
UnderstandingNorthCarolina’sBudget–Side
1
Name:
Period:
Date:
Item1:TheCategoriesoftheBudget
Thereare__________majorcategoriesofNorthCarolina’sbudget.Theyare:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Item2:Whatdoeseachcategoryinclude?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
6
UnderstandingNorthCarolina’sBudget–Side2
Item3:
Thebudgethassomeveryimportantrules.Thebudgetmustbe
__________________.
Youcan’t_________morethanyour_______________________.
Staterevenuescomemostlyfromfourareas:
1.
2.
3.
4.
NorthCarolinamakesbudgetsin_____yearincrements.Everyotheryearthelegislaturegatherstorevisethe
budget.
AMapoftheBudgetProcessinNorthCarolina
7
UnderstandingNorthCarolina’sBudget–Side1
Name:Key
Period:
Date:
Item1:TheCategoriesoftheBudget
ThereareeightmajorcategoriesofNorthCarolina’sbudget.Theyare:
1.PublicEducation(K-12)
2.CommunityColleges
3.UniversityofNorthCarolinaSystem(16schools)
4.HealthandHumanServices
5.PublicSafety
6.GeneralGovernment/NaturalResources
7.DebtServicePayments
8.CapitalBudget
Item2:Whatdoeseachcategoryinclude?
1.PublicEducation-Teachers,Principals,Custodians,etc.AlsoDPI.Thisisnotcompletelyfundedbythis
partofthebudget,justlikemanyothersreceivefederalandlocalmoney.
2.CommunityColleges–Thestatepaysabout$5,000perstudenttolocalcommunitycolleges.Alotofthe
costsofcommunitycollegesisbornebythecounties(andthelocalpropertytaxes).
3.UNCSystem–Thisispaidforentirelybythestateandthestudents’tuition.Thestateputsaround
$13,000perstudentintotheUNCsystem.Thispaysforprofessors,programs,etc.Sportsteamsarenotpaid
forbythestate.
4.HealthandHumanServices–PublicHealth,Children’sHealth,MentalHealthServices,
5.PublicSafety–Prisons,JuvenileJustice,CourtSystem,PoliceOfficers,Etc.
6.GeneralGov’t/NaturalResources–Governor’sOffice,GeneralAssembly,CouncilsofState,Environment
andNaturalResourcesDepartment
7.DebtServicePayments–Whatmustbepaidforoutstandingdebt(interestthatwepayonaloanfor
capitalprojects)
8.CapitalBudget–“BrickandMortarProjects.”Thesearebuildingsandotherthingsthatarebuilt.These
areusuallyfinancedthroughlong-termdebt,sowon’tappearineachyear’sbudget.
8
UnderstandingNorthCarolina’sBudget–Side2
Item3:
Thebudgethassomeveryimportantrules.Thebudgetmustbe“balanced.”
Youcan’tspendmorethanyourrevenues(moneyyoubringin).Althoughyoucan
usebondstofinancedebt.
Staterevenuescomemostlyfromfourareas:
1.IncomeTax–Statetaxthateveryonepaysontheirtotalearningsperyear.
2.SalesTax–Paidonpurchasesmade.NorthCarolinacollects4.25%,therestgoestothecounties.
3.CorporateTax–Paidbycorporationstothestate.Differentratesfordifferentsizedbusinesses.
4.FederalGovernment(andothersources)–TheFederalGovernmentgivesmoneytothestates,with
conditionsattached(forexample,thismoneywegaveyouhastobespentonhealthcare).Othersources
includefeesthatyouwillpaythestate(likedriver’slicensefees)
NorthCarolinamakesbudgetsintwoyearincrements.Everyotheryearthelegislaturegatherstorevisethe
budget.
AMapoftheBudgetProcessinNorthCarolina
In January, the Governor’s
Office begins collecting
information to make its
budget. Between August and
October, the Governor
receives their budget. The
Governor offers a budget in
February of the next year.
The House gets the
budget first. The
Appropriations
Committee makes
adjustments. The full
House votes on the
budget. If passed, it
is sent to the
Senate.
The Senate starts with
the House’s version and
sends the bill to the
Senate Appropriations
Committee. Changes are
made, and then the full
Senate votes.
The bill is usually
law by July.
Adjustments are made
each year by agencies
to ensure the budget
is balanced.
The Governor may sign
the bill, and it
becomes law. He/she
may veto the bill,
which can be
overridden by a 3/5
majority in the House
and Senate. If the
veto stands, return
to step
The House
and 2.
the Senate
form a conference
committee to reconcile the
different versions of the
bills and negotiate other
differences. If agreement
is met, they send the
budget to the Governor.
9
BuildingaBudget!–Legislator
ItisthattimeofyearwhenabudgetmustbecreatedforthestateofNorthCarolina.YouandaBudgetOfficermust
worktogethertocreateabalancedbudgetthatwillserveourstate’sneeds.Remember,“balanced”meansthatthe
amountyouspendwillbeequaltotheamountNorthCarolinacollectedfromtaxes,fees,andotherrevenues.Using
whatyoulearnedinyourclassnotesandyourowninferences,youandyourBudgetOfficerwillcreateabudgetthat
youwilllaterattempttoconvincetheGovernorandtheStateBudgetDirectortopassatanimportantbudgetary
meeting.
AsaLegislator,youhavedecidedtoprioritizethreeareasofthestate’sbudget:payingabovetheminimumamount
ondebtservicepayments,fundingcapitalprojectsinyourdistrict(capitalprojectsarephysicalassetslikebuildings,
parks,androads),andfundingmorepublicsafetyofficials(police,firefighters,etc.)(Remember,itisrequiredtouse
aminimumof$1billiontopaydownthedebt).
YourResponsibilitiesintheBudgetWorkSession:
YouandtheBudgetOfficerwillhaveapproximately15minutestocreateyourbudget,writeaspeechindefenseof
yourbudget,andpracticedeliveringthisspeechtotheGovernorandtheStateBudgetDirector,whoyouwillbe
meetingwithlater.Throughoutyourbudgetworksession:
• Bothofyouareresponsibleforofferingthoughtsandideasonthebudget,finalizingthebudget,andcomposing
aconvincingspeechthatwillgettheGovernortosupportyourbudget.
• Youwillberesponsibleforpayingattentiontothetimeandensuringyoubothstayontrackandfocused.
• YouwillalsoberesponsiblefordeliveringashortspeechtotheGovernorandtheStateBudgetDirectorthat
convincesthemtosupportandpassyourbudget.
• TheBudgetOfficerwillberesponsiblefortakingnotesthroughoutthebrainstorming,finalbudgetdecisions,
andspeechwriting.TheBudgetOfficerwillalsoberesponsibleforansweringanyfollow-upquestionsregarding
yourbudgetandofferingadditionalconvincingargumentstotheGovernorandtheStateBudgetDirector.
StepstotakeintheBudgetWorkSession:
1. Thestatecurrentlyhas19billiondollarstoallocateinthebudget.First,youandyourfellowBudgetOfficer
shouldbrainstormthoughtsandideasforhowtoallocatefundstothevariouscategoriesyouhaveprioritized,
aswellastheadditionalcategoriesnoted.Keepinmindthatthebudgetarydecisionsyoumakecanaffecthow
yourconstituentsviewyou,andthuscanaffectwhetheryouarere-elected.Youshouldthusbalanceyourown
opinionswithwhatisbestforthe“commongood.”(2minutes)
2. Afterbrainstorming,togethermakeyourfinaldecisionsregardinghowmuchmoneytoassigntothevarious
categories.TheBudgetOfficerwillwritethesefinalnumbersonthebackofthissheet.(8minutes)
3. YouandyourBudgetOfficershoulddiscusswhatcanbesaidtotheGovernorregardingwhyhe/sheshould
agreewithyourdecisionsandwhyyourbudgetshouldbepassed.Writeaoneormoreparagraphspeech(this
canlastupto2minuteswhenspoken)thatyouwillsaytotheGovernorwhichdefendsyourbudgetand
convinceshim/hertoagreewithyourdecisions.Youwillberesponsiblefordeliveringthisspeechtothe
GovernorandtheStateBudgetDirector.TheBudgetOfficerwillansweranyquestionshe/shehasandbe
responsibleforanyfollow-upstatements.(5minutes)
…………………………………….
4. After15minutes,youwillmeetwiththeGovernorandhis/herStateBudgetDirector.Youwillhaveupto2
uninterruptedminutestoexplainyourbudgettotheGovernorandhis/herStateBudgetDirector.
5. Uponfinishing,theGovernorandhis/herStateBudgetDirectorwillpresenttheirbudgetaryideastoyou.They
willalsohave2uninterruptedminutes.YouandtheBudgetOfficershouldwritedownanyquestions,thoughts,
ordisagreementsyouhaveasyoulistentotheGovernor’sbudget.
6. Thefourofyouwillthenhave5-6minutestoopenlydiscussanddebateyourtwobudgetversions.Yourgoalis
toreconcileyourbudgetwiththeGovernor’sbudget(whocanvetoyourbudgetifhe/shedoesnotlikeit).Ifthe
Governorpresentsabudgetyoudonotapproveof,youalsohavethepowertovoteagainstthatbudget.Atthe
10
endof5minutes,youwillreportbackregardingwhetheryouwereabletoreachacompromise,orifyouare
lockedindisagreement.(Asyoudiscussanddebateyourversions,allofyoushouldconsiderwhatbeingunable
tocompromisewilllookliketotheconstituentsofourstate!)
7. Assumingyouareabletocompromise,writeyourfinalbudgetaryallocationsinColumnIIofthebudgetchart.
BUDGETWORKSESSION
TotalAmountofFundsAvailableforAllocationinNorthCarolina:
19BillionDollars(1billion=1,000million)
Brainstormhowyouthinkthe19billiondollarsshouldbeallocatedtothevariousbudgetarycategories:
NoteyourfinalallocationsinColumnI(leaveColumnIIblankfornow):
BudgetaryCategories
PublicEducation(K-12)
CommunityColleges
HealthandHumanServices
UNCSystem(all16schools)
PublicSafety
GeneralGovernmentandNaturalResources
DebtService(MinimumPaymentof$1billion)
CapitalProjects
TOTALFUNDSALLOCATED
I
II
Brainstormashortspeech(upto2minuteswhenspoken)onnotebookpaperthattheLegislatorwillpresent
totheGovernorandhis/herStateBudgetDirectortoconvincethemtosupporttheabovebudget.Writethe
finalspeechbelow:
11
BuildingaBudget!–BudgetOfficer
ItisthattimeofyearwhenabudgetmustbecreatedforthestateofNorthCarolina.YouandaLegislatormust
worktogethertocreateabalancedbudgetthatwillserveourstate’sneeds.Remember,“balanced”meansthatthe
amountyouspendwillbeequaltotheamountNorthCarolinacollectedfromtaxes,fees,andotherrevenues.Using
whatyoulearnedinyourclassnotesandyourowninferences,youandyourLegislatorwillcreateabudgetthatyou
willlaterattempttoconvincetheGovernorandtheStateBudgetDirectortopassatanimportantbudgetary
meeting.
AsaBudgetOfficer,youserveatthewillofthelegislature.YouaretoprovidesupporttotheLegislatoryouare
workingwith.YouwillhelptheLegislatorcalculateabudgetthatmatcheshisorherpriorities.Youmustalsohelp
theLegislatorstaywithinthelegalconstraintsofthebudget(meaningyouwillmakesuretopayatleastthe
minimumdebtrequirementof$1billion).
YourResponsibilitiesintheBudgetWorkSession:
YouandtheLegislatorwillhaveapproximately15minutestocreateyourbudget,writeaspeechindefenseofyour
budget,andpracticedeliveringthisspeechtotheGovernorandtheStateBudgetDirector,whoyouwillbemeeting
withlater.Throughoutyourbudgetworksession:
• Bothofyouareresponsibleforofferingthoughtsandideasonthebudget,finalizingthebudget,andcomposing
aconvincingspeechthatwillgettheGovernortosupportyourbudget.
• Youareresponsiblefortakingnotesthroughoutthebrainstorming,finalbudgetdecisions,andspeechwriting.
• Youwillalsoberesponsibleforansweringanyfollow-upquestionsregardingyourbudgetandoffering
additionalconvincingargumentstotheGovernorandtheStateBudgetDirector.
• TheLegislatorisresponsibleforpayingattentiontothetimeandensuringyoubothstayontrackandfocused.
TheLegislatorwillalsoberesponsiblefordeliveringashortspeechtotheGovernorandtheStateBudget
Directorthatconvincesthemtosupportandpassyourbudget.
StepstotakeintheBudgetWorkSession:
1. Thestatecurrentlyhas19billiondollarstoallocateinthebudget.First,youandtheLegislatorshould
brainstormthoughtsandideasforhowtoallocatefundstothevariouscategoriesyouhaveprioritized,aswell
astheadditionalcategoriesnoted.Keepinmindthatthebudgetarydecisionsyoumakecanaffecthowyour
constituentsviewyou,andthuscanaffectwhetheryouarere-electedornot.Youshouldthusbalanceyour
ownopinionswithwhatisbestforthe“commongood.”(2minutes)
2. Afterbrainstorming,togethermakeyourfinaldecisionsregardinghowmuchmoneytoassigntothevarious
categories.Youwillwritethesefinalnumbersonthebackofthissheet.(8minutes)
3. YouandtheLegislatorshoulddiscusswhatcanbesaidtotheGovernorregardingwhyhe/sheshouldagreewith
yourdecisionsandwhyyourbudgetshouldbepassed.Writeaoneormoreparagraphspeech(thiscanlastup
to2minuteswhenspoken)thatyouwillsaytotheGovernorwhichattemptstodefendyourbudgetand
convincehim/hertoagreewithyourdecisions.TheLegislatorwillberesponsiblefordeliveringthisspeechto
theGovernorandtheStateBudgetDirector.Youwillansweranyquestionshe/shehasandberesponsiblefor
anyfollow-upstatements.(5minutes)
…………………………………….
4. After15minutes,youwillmeetwiththeGovernorandhis/herStateBudgetDirector.TheLegislatorwillhave
upto2uninterruptedminutestoexplainyourbudgettotheGovernorandhis/herStateBudgetDirector.
5. Uponfinishing,theGovernorandhis/herStateBudgetDirectorwillpresenttheirbudgetaryideastoyou.They
willalsohave2uninterruptedminutes.YouandtheLegislatorshouldwritedownanyquestions,thoughts,or
disagreementsyouhaveasyoulistentotheGovernor’sbudget.
6. Thefourofyouwillthenhave5-6minutestoopenlydiscussanddebateyourtwobudgetversions.Yourgoalis
toreconciletheLegislator’sbudgetwiththeGovernor’sbudget(whocanvetoyourbudgetifhe/shedoesnot
likeit).IftheGovernorpresentsabudgettheLegislatordoesnotapproveof,theLegislatormayvoteagainst
thatbudget.Attheendof5minutes,thegroupwillreportbackregardingwhetheryouwereabletoreacha
12
compromise,orifyouarelockedindisagreement.(Asyoudiscussanddebateyourversions,allofyoushould
considerwhatbeingunabletocompromisewilllookliketotheconstituentsofourstate!)
7. Assumingyouareabletocompromise,writeyourfinalbudgetaryallocationsinColumnIIofthebudgetchart.
BUDGETWORKSESSION
TotalAmountofFundsAvailableforAllocationinNorthCarolina:
19BillionDollars(1billion=1,000million)
Brainstormhowyouthinkthe19billiondollarsshouldbeallocatedtothevariousbudgetarycategories:
NoteyourfinalallocationsinColumnI(leaveColumnIIblankfornow):
BudgetaryCategories
PublicEducation(K-12)
CommunityColleges
HealthandHumanServices
UNCSystem(all16schools)
PublicSafety
GeneralGovernmentandNaturalResources
DebtService(MinimumPaymentof$1billion)
CapitalProjects
TOTALFUNDSALLOCATED
I
II
Brainstormashortspeech(upto2minuteswhenspoken)withtheLegislatoronnotebookpaperthatthe
LegislatorwillpresenttotheGovernortoconvincethemtosupporttheabovebudget.Writethefinal
speechbelow:
13
BuildingaBudget!–Governor
ItisthattimeofyearwhenabudgetmustbecreatedforthestateofNorthCarolina.YouandyourStateBudget
Directormustworktogethertocreateabalancedbudgetthatwillserveourstate’sneeds.Remember,“balanced”
meansthattheamountyouspendwillbeequaltotheamountNorthCarolinacollectedfromtaxes,fees,andother
revenues.Usingwhatyoulearnedinyourclassnotesandyourowninferences,youandyourStateBudgetDirector
willcreateabudgetthatyouwilllaterattempttoconvinceapowerfulLegislatorandhisorherBudgetOfficerto
passatanimportantbudgetarymeeting.
AstheGovernor,youranonaplatformoffundingHealthcarePrograms(HHS),K-12Education,andtheUniversity
system.Thepublichasbeenveryvocalthattheywantthesethreeareasfundedheavilyduringthisbudgetseason.
Youmustalsofundthestate’sdebtservicepaymentsbyaminimumof$1billion.
YourResponsibilitiesintheBudgetWorkSession:
YouandtheStateBudgetDirectorwillhaveapproximately15minutestocreateyourbudget,writeaspeechin
defenseofyourbudget,andpracticedeliveringthisspeechtotheLegislatorandtheBudgetOfficer,whoyouwillbe
meetingwithlater.Throughoutyourbudgetworksession:
• Bothofyouareresponsibleforofferingthoughtsandideasonthebudget,finalizingthebudget,andcomposing
aconvincingspeechthatwillgettheLegislatortosupportyourbudget.
• Youwillberesponsibleforpayingattentiontothetimeandensuringyoubothstayontrackandfocused.
• YouwillalsoberesponsiblefordeliveringashortspeechtotheLegislatorandtheBudgetOfficerthatconvinces
themtosupportandpassyourbudget.
• TheStateBudgetDirectorwillberesponsiblefortakingnotesthroughoutthebrainstorming,finalbudget
decisions,andspeechwriting.TheStateBudgetDirectorwillalsoberesponsibleforansweringanyfollow-up
questionsregardingyourbudgetandofferingadditionalconvincingargumentstotheLegislatorandtheBudget
Officer.
StepstotakeintheBudgetWorkSession:
1. Thestatecurrentlyhas19billiondollarstoallocateinthebudget.First,youandtheStateBudgetDirector
shouldbrainstormthoughtsandideasforhowtoallocatefundstothevariouscategoriesyouhaveprioritized,
aswellastheadditionalcategoriesnoted.Keepinmindthatthebudgetarydecisionsyoumakecanaffecthow
yourconstituentsviewyou,andthuscanaffectwhetheryouarere-electedornot.Youshouldthusbalance
yourownopinionswithwhatisbestforthe“commongood.”(2minutes)
2. Afterbrainstorming,togethermakeyourfinaldecisionsregardinghowmuchmoneytoassigntothevarious
categories.TheStateBudgetDirectorwillwritethesefinalnumbersonthebackofthissheet.(8minutes)
3. YouandtheStateBudgetDirectorshoulddiscusswhatcanbesaidtotheLegislatorregardingwhyhe/she
shouldagreewithyourdecisionsandwhyyourbudgetshouldbepassed.Writeaoneormoreparagraph
speech(thiscanlastupto2minuteswhenspoken)thatyouwillsaytotheLegislatorwhichattemptstodefend
yourbudgetandconvincehim/hertoagreewithyourdecisions.Youwillberesponsiblefordeliveringthis
speechtotheLegislatorandtheBudgetOfficer.TheStateBudgetDirectorwillansweranyquestionshe/she
hasandberesponsibleforanyfollow-upstatements.(5minutes)
…………………………………….
4. After15minutes,youwillmeetwiththeLegislatorandtheBudgetOfficer.Youwillhaveupto2uninterrupted
minutestoexplainyourbudgettotheLegislatorandtheBudgetOfficer.
5. Uponfinishing,theLegislatorandBudgetOfficerwillpresenttheirbudgetaryideastoyou.Theywillalsohave2
uninterruptedminutes.YouandtheStateBudgetDirectorshouldwritedownanyquestions,thoughts,or
disagreementsyouhaveasyoulistentotheLegislator’sbudget.
6. Thefourofyouwillthenhave5-6minutestoopenlydiscussanddebateyourtwobudgetversions.Yourgoalis
toreconcileyourbudgetwiththeLegislator’sbudget(whocanvoteagainstyourbudgetifhe/shedoesnotlike
it).IftheLegislatorpresentsabudgetyoudonotapproveof,youalsohavethepowertovetothebudget.At
theendof5minutes,youwillreportbackregardingwhetheryouwereabletoreachacompromise,orifyou
14
arelockedindisagreement.(Asyoudiscussanddebateyourversions,allofyoushouldconsiderwhatbeing
unabletocompromisewilllookliketotheconstituentsofourstate!)
7. Assumingyouareabletocompromise,writeyourfinalbudgetaryallocationsinColumnIIofthebudgetchart.
BUDGETWORKSESSION
TotalAmountofFundsAvailableforAllocationinNorthCarolina:
19BillionDollars(1billion=1,000million)
Brainstormhowyouthinkthe19billiondollarsshouldbeallocatedtothevariousbudgetarycategories:
NoteyourfinalallocationsinColumnI(leaveColumnIIblankfornow):
BudgetaryCategories
PublicEducation(K-12)
CommunityColleges
HealthandHumanServices
UNCSystem(all16schools)
PublicSafety
GeneralGovernmentandNaturalResources
DebtService(MinimumPaymentof$1billion)
CapitalProjects
TOTALFUNDSALLOCATED
I
II
Brainstormashortspeech(upto2minuteswhenspoken)withtheBudgetDirectoronnotebookpaperthat
theyouwillpresenttotheLegislaturetoconvincethemtosupporttheabovebudget.Writethefinal
speechbelow:
15
BuildingaBudget!–StateBudgetDirector
ItisthattimeofyearwhenabudgetmustbecreatedforthestateofNorthCarolina.YouandtheGovernormust
worktogethertocreateabalancedbudgetthatwillserveourstate’sneeds.Remember,“balanced”meansthatthe
amountyouspendwillbeequaltotheamountNorthCarolinacollectedfromtaxes,fees,andotherrevenues.Using
whatyoulearnedinyourclassnotesandyourowninferences,youandtheGovernorwillcreateabudgetthatyou
willlaterattempttoconvinceapowerfulLegislatorandhisorherBudgetOfficertopassatanimportantbudgetary
meeting.
AstheStateBudgetDirector,youserveatthepleasureoftheGovernor(meaningtheGovernorcanfireyouif
heorshechooses).ItisyourjobtomatchtheGovernor’sprioritiesthebestyoucanwithinthelegalrestraints
ofthebudget.YoumustalsoprovidetechnicalexpertisefortheGovernor.Thebudgetmustincludeatleast$1
billionindebtservicepayments.
YourResponsibilitiesintheBudgetWorkSession:
YouandtheGovernorwillhaveapproximately15minutestocreateyourbudget,writeaspeechindefenseofthe
Governor’sbudget,andpracticedeliveringthisspeechtotheLegislatorandtheBudgetOfficer,whoyouwillbe
meetingwithlater.Throughoutyourbudgetworksession:
• Bothofyouareresponsibleforofferingthoughtsandideasonthebudget,finalizingthebudget,andcomposing
aconvincingspeechthatwillgettheLegislatortosupportyourbudget.
• Youwillberesponsiblefortakingnotesthroughoutthebrainstorming,finalbudgetdecisions,andspeech
writing.
• Youwillalsoberesponsibleforansweringanyfollow-upquestionsregardingyourbudgetandoffering
additionalconvincingargumentstotheLegislatorandtheBudgetOfficer.
• TheGovernorwillberesponsibleforpayingattentiontothetimeandensuringyoubothstayontrackand
focused.TheGovernorwillalsoberesponsiblefordeliveringashortspeechtotheLegislatorandtheBudget
OfficerthatconvincesthemtosupportandpasstheGovernor’sbudget.
StepstotakeintheBudgetWorkSession:
1. Thestatecurrentlyhas19billiondollarstoallocateinthebudget.First,youandtheGovernorshould
brainstormthoughtsandideasforhowtoallocatefundstothevariouscategoriestheGovernorhasprioritized,
aswellastheadditionalcategoriesnoted.Keepinmindthatthebudgetarydecisionscanaffecthowyour
constituentsviewtheGovernor,andthuscanaffectre-electionoftheGovernor(andyourfuturejob).You
shouldthusbalanceyourownopinionswithwhatisbestforthe“commongood.”(2minutes)
2. Afterbrainstorming,togethermakeyourfinaldecisionsregardinghowmuchmoneytoassigntothevarious
categories.Youwillwritethesefinalnumbersonthebackofthissheet.(8minutes)
3. YouandtheGovernorshoulddiscusswhatcanbesaidtotheLegislatorregardingwhyhe/sheshouldagreewith
yourdecisionsandwhyyourbudgetshouldbepassed.Writeaoneormoreparagraphspeech(thiscanlastup
to2minuteswhenspoken)thattheGovernorwillsaytotheLegislatorwhichattemptstodefendthe
Governor’sbudgetandconvincehim/hertoagreewithyourdecisions.TheGovernorwilldeliverthisspeechto
theLegislatorandtheBudgetOfficer.Youwillansweranyquestionshe/shehasandberesponsibleforany
follow-upstatements.(5minutes)
…………………………………….
4. After15minutes,youwillmeetwiththeLegislatorandtheBudgetOfficer.TheGovernorwillhaveupto2
uninterruptedminutestoexplainyourbudgettotheLegislatorandtheBudgetOfficer.
5. Uponfinishing,theLegislatorandBudgetOfficerwillpresenttheirbudgetaryideastoyou.Theywillalsohave2
uninterruptedminutes.YouandtheGovernorshouldwritedownanyquestions,thoughts,ordisagreements
youhaveasyoulistentotheLegislator’sbudget.
6. Thefourofyouwillthenhave5-6minutestoopenlydiscussanddebateyourtwobudgetversions.The
Governor’sgoalistoreconcilehisorherbudgetwiththeLegislator’sbudget(whocanvoteagainstyourbudget
ifhe/shedoesnotlikeit).IftheLegislatorpresentsabudgettheGovernordoesnotapproveof,theGovernor
16
canvetothebudget.Attheendof5minutes,youwillreportbackregardingwhetheryouwereabletoreacha
compromise,orifyouarelockedindisagreement.(Asyoudiscussanddebateyourversions,allofyoushould
considerwhatbeingunabletocompromisewilllookliketotheconstituentsofourstate!)
7. Assumingyouareabletocompromise,writeyourfinalbudgetaryallocationsinColumnIIofthebudgetchart.
BUDGETWORKSESSION
TotalAmountofFundsAvailableforAllocationinNorthCarolina:
19BillionDollars(1billion=1,000million)
Brainstormhowyouthinkthe19billiondollarsshouldbeallocatedtothevariousbudgetarycategories:
NoteyourfinalallocationsinColumnI(leaveColumnIIblankfornow):
BudgetaryCategories
PublicEducation(K-12)
CommunityColleges
HealthandHumanServices
UNCSystem(all16schools)
PublicSafety
GeneralGovernmentandNaturalResources
DebtService(MinimumPaymentof$1billion)
CapitalProjects
TOTALFUNDSALLOCATED
I
II
Brainstormashortspeech(upto2minuteswhenspoken)onnotebookpaperthattheGovernorwillpresent
totheLegislatorandBudgetOfficertoconvincethemtosupporttheabovebudget.Writethefinalspeech
below:
17
ReviewaBudget!–Side1
Name:
Period:
Date:
Thesearepiegraphsofthe2011-2013BudgetinNorthCarolina.Reviewthegraphsandanswerthe
questions.
Whatisyouropinionoftheaboveallocations?Wouldyouchangeanythingaboutthesepercentagesifgiven
thedecision?Whyorwhynot?
Ifyouhadtocutthebudgetaboveby10%,explainindetailwhatyouwoulddo.Doyouthinkyourdecision
wouldbewidelyacceptedbythecitizensofNorthCarolina?Explain.
18
ReviewaBudget!–Side2
WhydoyouthinktheGovernorhastheexecutivepowertovetoabudget?Do
youfeeltheGovernorshouldhavethepowertoveto?Whyorwhynot?
Likewise,doyouagreeordisagreewiththelegislaturehavingthepowertovote
againstthebudget?Explain.
Whenyousawtheamountofmoneyspenteachyearinstategovernment,whatwasyourreactionand
why?
Thelaststepinthebudgetingprocesswas“Evaluation.”Whatdoyouthinkthevalueisinre-examininga
budgetyearsdowntheroad?
19
Painmanagement(EditorialfromtheNewsandObserver)
Budget-cuttingspecificslaybarethetruthofhowthenationalrecessioncouldaffectNorthCarolinastate
services
GovernorPerduehasdirectedstateagenciestopinpointwherethey'dslicetheirbudgetsinresponsetothe
recession,andthey'vedoneit--butthegovernorknowsevenmoremaybeneeded.Herinitialcallwastocut
thecurrentyear'soperatingbudget,whichisnow$21.5billion,by7percent,althoughshewiselyindicated
someprotectionforvitalservicessuchaseducation.
Butasthespecificsofferedbyagenciesdemonstrate,thatdoesn'tmeanNorthCarolinianswon'tfeelthehit.
Nottomentionthatcutscouldgodeeper.Thisweek,Perduewarnedthatlayoffsinstateagenciesmaybe
necessary.Afterall,theprojectedbudgetshortfallforthefiscalyearendingJune30couldtop$2billion,and
that's10percentoftheoperatingnumber.
Somereliefishopedforthroughafederalstimuluspackagethatcoulddeliverbillionsofdollarstostates.
Governorshavetheirfingerscrossed,tobesure.
Butsofaraswherethingsstand,itmustbesaidthatthegovernor'sstaffwillhavetocombthroughthe
possiblecutsclosely,becausewhilesomemightkeepeyebrowslevel,otherswillhavethemdancing.
Consider,forexample,thatintheDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices,therearesuggestionsto
eliminate50bedsattheBroughtonandCherrypsychiatrichospitals,saving$6million.Butthatwouldcomeat
atimewhenthestate'smentalhealthsystemisunderservingpeopleandisinastateofmanagementflux,to
putitmildly.Then,inthatsamedepartment,there'sthe$5.8millionthatwouldbesavedinclosingWrightand
Whitakerschoolsforemotionallydisturbedchildrenandadolescents--again,acausethatadvocates,rightly,
willfighttopreserve.
Eveninthesmallerproposedsavings,therearedubiousideas.Countiesandcitieswouldn'tget$100,000to
helpwithsedimentationanderosioncontrol.That'safairlysmallamount,butisitreallysmarttotakea
chancethatcreeksandriverswill"siltup"andthusriskwaterpollutionproblemsdowntheroad,creating
greatercleanupexpenses?
AttheDepartmentofTransportation,therewouldbelessmoneyforroadrepairandmaintenanceandahuge
cutof$19.6millioninmoneyforpublictransportation.AndintheDepartmentofJuvenileJustice,therewould
beanendtostate-sponsoredafter-schoolprograms,asavingsof$5.9million.Painfulandcounterproductive
arewordsthatcometomind.
It'straditional,whenagenciesfacebudget-cuttingmandates,forthemtoofferupforsacrificethingsthey
knowwillgettheattentionoflawmakersinclinedtoprotectthoseprograms.Lawmakersneedtotreatthat
gameforwhatitis.It'salsocustomaryforsomeagenciestotalkaboutpassingonsomeresponsibilitiestolocal
governments.Theproblemwiththatthistimeout,ofcourse,isthatthelocalfolksdon'thaveanymoney,
either.
Thegovernorisrighttostatefranklythatthiswillbeatoughprocess,andthatnotallvirtuousprogramswillbe
preserved.Asthebalancingactcontinues,however,agencyheadsandthegovernor'soffice--andshortly,the
GeneralAssembly--needtoholdfasttotheprinciplesofprotectingworkingfamilies,notallowingconvenient
shortsightednesstoruletheday,andmaintaininginvestmentsinpubliceducation,includingcommunity
collegesanduniversities.Andthenlet'sprayforrainfromWashington.
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NorthCarolinagovernor'sbudgetvetooverturned
RALEIGH,NorthCarolina(Reuters)-NorthCarolina'sRepublican-ledSenateoverrodeDemocraticGovernorBeverly
Perdue'svetoofthestatebudgetonWednesday,makingthetwo-yearspendingplanlaw.
The31-19voteendedabitterdebatebetweenDemocratsandRepublicansabouthowdeeplytocutspendingin
lightofhighunemploymentandtheslowpaceofrecoveryfromthelastrecession.
Inanearlierpost-midnightsessiononWednesday,HouseRepublicansalsovotedtooverridethegovernor'sveto
withthehelpoffiveconservativeDemocratswhosupportedthebudgetoriginally.PerdueisthefirstNorthCarolina
governortovetoastatebudget,andonlyoncebeforehavelawmakerssuccessfullyoverriddenaveto.
The$19.7billionbudgetforthecomingyeartakeseffectonJuly1.
RepublicanscontrolbothchambersofthestateLegislatureforthefirsttimeinmorethanacentury,andthebudget
billfulfillscampaignpromisesnottoraisetaxesandtoletatemporaryone-centsalestaxandsomeincometaxeson
highearnersexpire.
Italsomakescutsandchangesinstatespendingtoclosea$2.5billionbudgetshortfall.
"Thisisaresponsiblebudgetinadifficultyear,"saidHouseMajorityLeaderPaulStam.
PerdueonSundaybecamethefirstNorthCarolinagovernortovetoabudgetsincethestate'stopelectedofficial
obtainedvetopowerin1997.
Shearguedtheone-centtemporarysalestaxshouldhavebeenextendedanotheryeartofundeducation.Sheand
otherDemocratsobjectedtotheGeneralAssemblybudgetcuttingafurther$124millioninfundingforlocal
educationontopof$305millioncutinpreviousyears.
Theysaidtheextracutwouldcostthousandsofteachersandteacheraidestheirjobsandworsenthestate's
unemploymentrate,whichat9.7percentisabovethenationalaverage.
"Tonight,theRepublican-controlledlegislatureturneditsbackonNorthCarolina'slong-standingcommitmentto
ourpeopletoprovidequalityschools,communitycollegesanduniversities--alltosaveapenny,"Perduesaidina
statementaftertheHouseoverrideofherveto.
RepublicanleadersintheGeneralAssemblysaidDemocratsexaggeratedthebudgetcuts'impactonpublicschools.
Stamsaidthedifferencebetweenthegovernor'sproposedbudgetforeducationandwhatbecamelawon
Wednesdaywasonlyahalfof1percent.
StamiscorrectintermsoffundingforK-12education.Butthegovernoremphasizesabiggergapinoverall
educationspendingduringthetwo-yeartermofthebudget.
WhencomparingfundingofK-12,communitycollegesandthestateuniversitysystem,theGeneralAssembly'splan
willspend$561millionlessthanthegovernorproposed.
Overallspendingoneducationduringthenexttwoyearswillbeabout$22billion.
PerduespokeswomanChrissyPearsonsaidRepublicanswere"choosingonelittlepieceofthepicturethatlooks
bestforthem."
StamtoldReutersthegovernor'sversionoftheeducationbudgetcutswas"justwrongonthemath.She'snot
wrongoften,butshe'swrongonthat."
21
AdaptedandeditedbyCarolinaK-12fromtheFollowingSources:http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/16/us-budget-northcarolinaidUSTRE75F01T20110616-http://www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/story/9732350/
22