news-record.com

The House Appropriations Committee will hold a hearing on the state budget tonight. Residents can attend in Raleigh or at selected community colleges across the state.

Such hearings are rare.

This one comes as lawmakers try to decide how to bridge a multibillion-dollar gap in the state budget.

Residents can share their thoughts in person or at any of the satellite locations.

Want to attend?

When: 6 to 9 p.m.

Where: N.C. Museum of History auditorium, 5 E. Edenton St., Raleigh

Satellite locations: There will be 10 locations where residents can watch video of the proceedings and give their input.

The closest to the Triad will be: Forsyth Technical Community College, Main Campus, 2100 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, Hauser Hall, Room 158

For more information and to watch online: http://ncleg.net/sessions/2009/budget/2009/BudgetPublicHearing.html

Members of the public also can offer comments by:

Mail: House Appropriations Committee, Suite 401, LOB, 300 N. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27603-5925 (Must be postmarked by Wednesday)

Online: www.ncleg.net/Applications/PublicHearingComments

E-mail: Town.Hall@NCLEG.NET (Until 12 a.m. tonight)

Fax: 919-754-3328 (Until 12 a.m. tonight)