news-record.com

From today's budget story, starting in the middle with Gov. Bev Perdue:

Perdue said she plans to sign the compromise measure this week but is not happy with the final product. In particular, she said that local mental health agencies will take a harsh cut.

“We’re talking to them to see how badly the cut will hurt them,” Perdue said, holding out hope that a $40 million statewide cut could somehow be blunted before the legislature adjourns this month.

“I think there is definitely going to be less services and definitely people waiting for service,” said Glenna Harford, business manager for Guilford Center, which works with low-income mental health clients. In addition to general operating cuts, she said, there will be less money for services that help people live outside treatment facilities and less money for high-level residential treatment centers for children.

“Those are really big services, and I’m not sure what’s going to happen with those clients,” Harford said.

That sense of uncertainty permeates the budget. Even after it goes into effect, state agencies will have to make hundreds of decisions about how to achieve cuts ordered by the General Assembly.

Click here for the whole thing, complete with a breakout of some key items.

As you might have picked up from her quotes, Perdue is not completely happy with the budget. However, she had said she will sign it. Here's a video clip of what she said late yesterday:

The House and Senate will vote again today on the budget before sending it to Perdue for her signature.