Just a reminder to check out Political Connections this weekend.

The entire show is an interview with Gov. Easley. It's pretty interesting and covers a wide range of topics. It airs on News 14 Carolina tonight at 6pm and Sunday morning at 11am. It should wind up on the website at www.news14.com as well.

We talk about the budget, controversial issues, his style of governing, why he prefers his work over fundraising, his future, etc. etc. etc.

Check it out if you get a chance. I aired a story on part of the interview today and will post the script below.

In the meantime, I'm counting down the hours to a 5 day vacation so have a great weekend and I'll be back next Thursday. Happy House Budgeting!

RALEIGH -- A big budget battle is shaping up between the governor's office and the legislature.

The State House will likely vote on their version of the budget next week. Early indications are that it will look much different than the governor's budget.

Senior Political Reporter Tim Boyum sat down with the governor this week. When Governor Easley unveiled his budget three weeks ago, it included a 20-cent cigarette tax hike and a four cent increase on alcohol.

Next week the House will unveil its version of the budget. It will not include those tax proposals.

"I don't care if they pass them or not," Gov. Easley said. "I'm just looking for a means to an end."

That end is an expensive mental health reform package and a seven percent teacher pay raise.

"We have to get teachers to the national average," Easley added. "We said we were going to do it in 2005, we raised them five percent, eight percent, five percent over the last three years and we're looking at 6.9-percent short this year."

The House budget will include a three percent raise instead of seven percent.

"Is that something you would send the budget back if they didn't?" Boyum asked.

"You know, I would want to look at the entire budget before I ever said that I would look at that," Gov. Easley said. "The thing for me to do now is work with the legislators and try to help them get there."

But lawmakers want lower teacher pay to help give state employees a 2.75-percent raise compared to Easley's 1.5-percent.

Easley says state employees deserve a large raise but he promised teachers they would get to the national average by the end of the year.

"If you say you're going to do it you should do it," Easley added. "That's what we teach kids and we can start by paying their teachers so that's why I started with the sin taxes.

It's a pay battle that will play out over the next month. After the House budget, the Senate must come up with their version then all three sides must compromise on a final budget by June 30th.

To see the entire interview watch Political Connections. It airs Friday nights at 6:00 and Sunday mornings at 11:00.

Gov. Easley one on one...

I had a chance to sit down with Gov. Easley for a lengthy interview this morning. We hit a number of topics ranging from the budget to his style of governing. The entire interview will air on Political Connections this weekend but here's a short story we're airing today on a couple topics. I'll try to update some other highlights from the interview as well later.

RALEIGH -- Gov. Easley says there's no need for lawmakers to get involved in the illegal immigrant community college issue.

Easley made the comments during a one-on-one interview that will air on Political Connections this weekend. Easley believes its time for the federal government to fix immigration and gas price issues.

Those two topics are among the top concerns to North Carolina voters in most polls.

Gov. Easley still supports illegal immigrants in community colleges if they pay out of state tuition.

"The reason is you have so many undocumented workers that are working in the state's now all across the country that you're building your economy on those people so do you want them better educated or less educated and we could make that decision better if we knew what the heck Washington is going to do," Gov. Easley said. "So, I'd like for Washington to take some action. They have defacto legalized illegal immigrants."

The community college system ordered all campuses last year to admit illegal immigrants, but it reversed the policy recently while federal officials formally weigh in on the matter.

Earlier this month, Attorney General Roy Cooper's office recommended community colleges drop the lenient admissions policy.

Several lawmakers have filed bills to either disqualify or allow illegal immigrants in community colleges.

"It's not a legislative issue at this point," Easley said. "What the attorney general was reacting to was the perceived federal regulation but the federal regulation isn't what they thought it was. It's way beyond the state legislature at least at this point."

On the gas price front, Easley believes the answers will come from Washington.

"There's not a lot the state can do in terms of immediate help on the gas price," Gov. Easley said. "That's set by OPEC and we're not members of OPEC.

Easley believes the state must focus on public transportation and research on battery powered cars to limit our need for oil.

We will show the entire interview with Governor Mike Easley this weekend on Political Connections.

He talks about everything from the state budget to his future after office. It airs Friday night at 6:00 and Sunday morning at 11:00 only on News 14 Carolina.

Welcome back after a long holiday weekend!

I don't have much to report since I'm swamped working on a potentially big show this weekend (hopefully more on that tomorrow).

Last week Sen. Rand said he thought the House might unveil its budget this week. I'd say that is unlikely. I just got a number of notices from appropriation subcommittees that are working on Thursday, so I'd say it won't happen this week.

That would put House members at the earliest voting next week which would give the Senate and Conference roughly 3 weeks to come up with another version and compromise by the July 1 deadline. Can it happen? The answer is almost always, if they really want it to they can.

I'll hopefully have more to report tomorrow. In the meantime here's my story today on U.S. Senate candidate Kay Hagan's roundtable on 287 g with sheriffs today. One thing not in the story is the fact that none of the people on her roundtable were actually using the 287 g program yet and I believe at least most of them were Democrats just like her. Not sure what that may or may not mean but just throwing information out there for you to know.

P.S. I was in Arizona this weekend and saw the Red Rocks in Sedona. Holy smokes if you haven't seen them you should! And no, I didn't make it out to McCain's house to BBQ with the Veep candidates!

Anyway..here's the story

RALEIGH -- Immigration is quickly becoming a hot topic in North Carolina's U.S. Senate race.

Today, Democratic candidate Kay Hagan met with a half dozen sheriffs to talk about the 287 g program. Hagan's opponent, current Senator Elizabeth Dole has tried to convince sheriffs to join the program for more than a year.

Mecklenburg County started the 287 g program in 2006 and its sheriff says it works.

"In the stats we've looked at the DWI stats for Hispanics has gone down every year since 287 g came in," Sheriff Chip Bailey said. "And if you look at the DWLR, driving while license revoked, its gone down every year.

The 287 g program trains sheriff's deputies to identify illegal immigrants who commit crimes and start the deportation process.

Hagan supports the program but only if the federal government pays for 100-percent of it.

"My problem with it is that it's an unfunded federal mandate," Hagan said. "As I've stated last year the state of North Carolina spent $750,000 on this program and this is really something that is an ICE situation which is an immigration situation."

Dole has been a big supporter of the program. In fact she spent the past year touring the state trying to get sheriffs on board.

"We're looking at every possibility to stay focused on this issue of criminals who are illegal aliens who repeat and repeat and causing great angst among our citizens in North Carolina," Dole said at one of her own roundtables last August.

Dole's stance may be paying off in some ways.

In the most recent Public Policy Polling poll, she leads Hagan by five points with ten percent still undecided.

However voters who are most concerned with immigration overwhelmingly pick Dole by an 89% to 8% margin.

Hagan hopes her public stance on the issue will turn those numbers around.

The Prez..

So, I spent the day on Fort Bragg covering President Bush. You can check out www.news14.com to see the story itself.

What a day. I arrived there around 6:45 this morning. We checked in and sat around until 8:15 when they put us on a coach bus and took us to the site. When we got there we went through another 25 minutes of security.

Finally about 9:00 we were all set and it was sunny and hot! But as it always is with President Bush, it started right on time and his speech was even 5 minutes earlier than expected.

He was almost in a campaign mode after the event. He avoided the stage and walked within 10 feet of us and shook hands with the crowd, which was mostly families of paratroopers.

I have to say it was quite a sight to see 16,000 parartroopers lined up in a field. It was incredible to see them all march by knowing what they have seen and where they have been. Many of them still have acne problems which reminds you how young some of these troops are.

One of those days that makes you think.

I'm off until Tuesday..a late post election trip/late anniversary trip!

Until then...

Unfortunately I'm swamped trying to get my show done because I'm on vacation Friday and covering President Bush tomorrow so all I got is my story from today...

RALEIGH -- It appears North Carolina will put gang laws on the books for the first time in state history.

Mayors, police, and lawmakers joined forces Wednesday to announce they are close to an agreement. Right now, North Carolina law does not address gangs specifically.

Statewide there are an estimated 550 gangs with more than 14,000 members.

"Gangs are recruiting better than law enforcement agencies are," Gastonia Police Chief Terry Sult said. "These bills before the legislature address that recruiting effort on the gang level."

Wednesday the Senate passed those bills unanimously inching them closer to becoming law.

The proposals define gangs for the first time, make it illegal to belong to a gang, and target gang leaders.

"This has been a four year battle and I'm glad to see a lot of converts," Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory said. "The four letter word gang is now being confronted in the state capitol and I'm glad to see a lot of people get on board and recognize this is a life and death issue."

Mayor McCrory is making it a top issue in his campaign for governor. Tuesday his opponent, Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue said it's on the top of her legislative list as well.

While the news conference was essentially billed as a celebration that these new gang laws are likely going to pass, not everyone is supportive of these ideas.

One concern still undecided is how to punish gang members under 16 years old and if these laws will have an impact beyond filling up already crowded prisons.

"We're talking about severe criminal sanctions and I would argue that the acts we're trying to prevent are already illegal," NC Policy Watch's Chris Fitzsimon said. "If we need more police officers, more district attorneys, more magistrates, more prison beds, then we should do those things."

Attorney General Roy Cooper supports gang legislation but wants gang prevention funding as well.

"We are in a battle with gangs for the hearts and minds of our children and we must invest in education," Cooper said. "We must invest in after school programs."

Despite concerns, it appears after years of negotiations, lawmakers will make it illegal to belong to a gang in North Carolina.

Lawmakers are expected to negotiate differences between the House and Senate bills next week. It would also need the governor's signature.

*update with quotes below*

Couple interesting notes from today's Rules Committee in the NC Senate.

That committee is powerful and can send bills directly to the floor. They took up the Street Gang Prevention Act today and approved it.

Coincidentally that is a huge issue GOP Gov candidate Pat McCrory has been pushing and criticizing the legislature about for not taking it up.

The Senate has sat still on the bill. It just so happens that McCrory has plans to come lobby the bill on Wednesday (as in tomorrow).

The Lt. Gov. staff (who just happens to be McCrory's opponent) made sure to make a public statement that Lt. Gov. Perdue supports the legislation.

Sen. Rand who chairs the committee said it's not politics and it was fast tracked because they had to with money in the bill that needs to be in the budget both chambers are working on now.

You be the judge.

Speaking of that, Sen. Rand said it's his belief the House will roll out its version of the budget next week.

Stay tuned.

**here's my story from today on the subject

RALEIGH -- The war on gangs has become a focus for the candidates for governor.

State Senate leaders put anti-gang legislation on the fast track toward approval Tuesday. It comes just one day before one gubernatorial candidate planned to lobby against his opponent on the issue.

Last July, the State House passed a bill defining gangs in state law for the first time. Nearly a year later, it appears the Senate will do the same this week.

"It certainly is a long time coming," Sen. Malcolm Graham (D-Mecklenburg) said. "Gang activity across the state of North Carolina is increasing. We need to make sure that we have legislation in place that protects the citizens and that's what we did here today."

The bill defines a gang, makes it a felony to belong to one, and will target gang leaders. The Senate and House must still settle differences over punishing gang members under 16.

The bill was pushed through one of the few committees that can fast track a bill to the Senate floor. It's also just one day before gubernatorial candidate Pat McCrory is scheduled to be in Raleigh.

The current Charlotte mayor plans to lobby lawmakers Wednesday to pass gang legislation.

Tuesday the staff of his opponent Lieutenant Governor Beverly Perdue made a point to speak before the committee voted.

"This legislation is one of the lieutenant governor's top priorities for the coming legislative session," Perdue's Chief of Staff Don Hobart said. "We're very pleased the committee has agreed to take it up quickly and hopefully it will find itself into conference and in law. "

Committee Chair Tony Rand says the meeting was not about politics.

"It has to do with we're trying to get the budget passed and we're trying to adjourn and this has to move forward as you know the provision in this it doesn't go into effect unless there's money in the budget so we're trying to do it together," Sen. Rand (D-Cumberland) said.

The full Senate could vote on the bill as soon as Wednesday. Supporters hope for final approval next week.

A recent report shows there are nearly 15,000 gang members in North Carolina. That's up from an estimated nine thousand just four years ago.

As a follow up to yesterday's post on a potential gas tax holiday. I was contacted by Civitas and given an early preview of their upcoming poll. Here's the section about the gas tax holiday from Civitas.

DO YOU SUPPORT A PROPOSED GAS TAX HOLIDAY OVER THE SUMMER

MONTHS OR BELIEVE THESE FUNDS SHOULD BE KEPT FOR ROAD

CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE IN NORTH CAROLINA?



# %

1. GAS HOLIDAY 224 28

2. KEPT FOR CONSTRUCTION 481 60

98. NOT SURE 95 12



TOTAL 800

To gas tax or not to gas tax?

State Rep. Joe Boylan wants a state gas tax holiday. Clinton and McCain want one too on the federal level. Will it happen? Probably not. Below is the script from my story today. Richard Burr definitely supports it nationally but wants the bill tied to other long term goals.

RALEIGH -- Gas prices continue to set records with Memorial Day weekend approaching.

Leaders in North Carolina are proposing changes to help fix the high price at the pump, but will these proposals make a difference?

On the national level, Hillary Clinton and John McCain have proposed a three month gas tax holiday. Barack Obama opposes the idea and calls it a Washington gimmick and he wants to focus on long term solutions.

U.S. Senator Richard Burr doesn't believe it would pass Congress anyway.

"The leadership won't take up the gas tax," Sen. Burr said. "Does it make a big difference? 25-cents to a family that is struggling today is a big difference. Is it the optimal direction for us? Not in isolation."

Senator Burr also wants to focus on alternative fuels but he does support immediate help.

"I'd be very supportive of a temporary moratorium but it has to be mashed with an investment in the right technologies," Sen. Burr added. "It has to be matched with a commitment on this country's part to invest in new exploration but our goal should be to eliminate our need for foreign oil in the future."

On the state level, most state leaders don't have an appetite to take up the gas tax but there are some who want changes.

Moore County Representative Joe Boylan wants to suspend the state gas tax for 90 days starting June 15th.

Currently the state gas tax is 30.2 cents. It's the sixth highest rate in the country. The state revenue department estimates the state would lose out on about $425 million dollars for road projects.

Gov. Easley supports Hillary Clinton's national gas tax holiday proposal but recently said he would never recommend it on the state level.

"If they can do it like she did which is paying for it by taxes from windfall profits from oil companies but I don't think we could do that on the state level," Easley said.

While there is some support on the state and national level for a gas tax holiday this summer, Republicans and Democrats generally agree it is unlikely.

Easley has proposed to keep a current cap on the gas tax in his budget. It's unclear at this point if lawmakers will keep the cap in their versions of the budget.

I was off politics today but did an interesting story on Segways (at least I think interesting!).

I'll leave it below because I frankly don't have much else to report on. Next week will heat up with increased budget talks and I'm already getting numerous press conference invitiations by groups hoping to get their agenda taken up at the legislature. Should be fun, plus I'm headed to Fayetteville Thursday to cover the Prez..

Have a good weekend!

RALEIGH -- Soaring gas prices have led to another new Segway dealership in North Carolina.

The two wheeled battery powered transporters are gaining popularity from police and tour guides. Dealers are now even marketing Segways for commuting.

Todd Masinter swears Segways will not only save you on gas money, but it will add years to your life.

"There's definitely this perverse enjoyment when you're passing people on a sidewalk at 12 1/2 mph and in gridlock cars everyone is staring at you it's just a phenomenal feeling knowing you're not wasting any gas," Triangle Segway owner Todd Masinter said.

Two months ago he and his wife moved from California to North Carolina. They decided to open up a Segway dealership to offer tours and sales.

"A number of people during and after a tour will ask about a purchase and how they can obtain one and how quickly," tour guide Bruce Miller said. "We had one the other day said how quickly can I get one, not just can I get one."

The two wheeled battery powered vehicles can go 24 miles on a single charge. It takes eight hours to recharge in a standard outlet.

41 states including North Carolina say they are legal on sidewalks and have the same rights as an electric wheelchair.

There are two models, a commuter and one with larger tires. One model even comes equipped for the golf course.

The price varies from $5100 to $5600 and Masinter says the rise in gas prices have turned skeptics into buyers.

"There are folks in downtown Raleigh who have purchased from us who go from their condo into the elevator down through the lobby out the doors and onto their job and repeat their process and take it to their desk and plug it into the outlet," Masinter added.

"Well if you live downtown it actually makes a lot of sense not having to drive your car from place to place, and it's a pretty convenient device," Tour customer David New said.

Segway now has authorized dealerships in Raleigh, Charlotte, and Wilmington.

When?

That's the question being asked by pretty much everyone at the legislature. When will the budget get wrapped up.

Regardless of big issues on the table, it appears the honorables are 100% intent on putting together a budget and watching Raleigh in the rear view mirror as fast as possible.

All signs point to that happening. It was indeed a very quiet first week. No major surprises as lawmakers remain focus in various appropriation and subcommittee meetings.

I'm told both chambers have worked together for nearly two months and are pretty close to an agreement on big subjects. Governor Easley's surprise budget with sin taxes threw a small wrenth in that plan but lawmakers seem intent on doing what they want to do.

Most believe (hope) lawmakers will wrap up and be out of town by the middle of July if not sooner. Keep in mind they are supposed to be done with the budget by July 1st.

The House goes first and we could see their version sooner than later based on reports and how fast and furious these committee meetings are happening.

I'm off to moderate a panel this afternoon so you're stuck with just my story from today again...

RALEIGH -- The governor and lawmakers will soon battle over so called sin taxes.

Gov. Easley wants to increase the tax on cigarettes and alcohol. He says the money's needed to pay for teacher pay increases and mental health reform. Sin taxes are increasingly popular proposals to raise money.

As a tobacco state, raising the cigarette tax was political suicide in the past but times have changed.

Lawmakers bumped the cigarette tax three cents a pack in 1991. 14 years later it was increased from five cents to 30-cents in 2005. Just one year later it was raised five more cents. The tax still remains the seventh lowest in the U.S.

Now Gov. Easley wants to increase the tax again by 20-cents to 55-cents a pack. That would make North Carolina's tax tied for 12th lowest in the country.

"Certainly North Carolina is not as tobacco dependent in terms in the number of farmers involved," Sen. Richard Stevens (R-Wake) said. "We're still producing a lot of tobacco in North Carolina, but it doesn't have the same political impact it once did so I guess it's an easier target at that point."

The beer and wine industry finds itself on the flip side. The beer tax for instance hasn't been raised in decades but it is still one of the highest in the nation.

Right now the tax is roughly four cents a can which leaves North Carolina with the fourth highest beer tax in the nation. Gov. Easley's proposal would increase it to nine cents a can and the second highest in the nation.

"Our beer taxes and wine taxes are some of the highest in the nation and this type of proposal falls most heavily on North Carolina consumers who can at this time when the economy is not in great shape," Dean Plunkett from the NC Beer and Wine Association said.

While the beer tax hasn't changed since 1969, Plunkett says it comes up nearly every year.

"It tends to be that way," Plunkett added. "The legislature will always look for new funding sources and we tend to be the choice a lot of the time.

North Carolina's not alone. Many other states are proposing sin tax increases as well. Supporters say it's a volunteer tax and having that choice to drink or smoke is better than forcing a tax on everyone.

Both Democrats and Republicans at the legislature appear to oppose Easley's tax proposals. A final budget must be approved by July 1st.

RALEIGH -- Lawmakers returned to work in Raleigh Tuesday and it's clear there will be a battle over the state budget.

Monday, Gov. Easley proposed large teacher pay raises but he also wants to raise taxes. So far, Republican and Democratic lawmakers are opposing some of the governor's ideas.

Easley wants to raise teacher pay to the national average. To do that, it requires a 7-percent pay increase. To pay for those raises and a pricey mental health reform he wants to raise the tax on cigarettes by 20 cents and the tax on alcohol by 4 cents.

One might expect a negative reaction from Republicans but even fellow Democrats are not on board with Easley's ideas.

"We're a little concerned in this economic downturn which we find ourselves in to raise taxes right now," Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand (D-Cumberland) said.

Republicans believe the governor's budget plan focuses too much on spending and taxing.

"In tough economic times it is not the time to raise taxes, particularly, taxes that hit the poorest people," Senate Minority Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) said.

House Speaker Joe Hackney also has concerns about state employee pay. While the governor wants a 7-percent increase for teachers, he's offering just a 1.5-percent pay increase and a thousand dollar bonus for all other state employees.

"The House historically does not pass a budget with that kind of disparity between state employees and teachers and I would predict for you there would not be that kind of disparity this time either," Speaker Hackney (D-Orange) said.

While the budget is the main issue there are several other issues that remain on the table, however many lawmakers say they may not get to those this summer.

"The theory of this session in which we find ourselves is to examine the budget," Sen. Rand added. "We need to examine the budget and go home."

That could mean little movement on major issues like transportation, the drought, and gang legislation.

In an election year, few lawmakers want to rock the boat and will likely wait to address controversial issues in 2009.

Working on prepping for the first day of the General Assembly so sorry for the lack of original post-but here's my story today on Gov. Easley's budget proposal released this morning.

RALEIGH -- Gov. Mike Easley wants to raise taxes on cigarettes and alcohol to help pay for teacher raises and mental health reform.

That's the highlight of a $21.5 billion budget the governor released Monday morning. It's the last budget of his administration before he leaves office in January.

Four years ago, Easley promised to help teacher pay reach the national average. His proposal does just that with a 7% raise.

"We do this by focusing on our strategy of helping beginning teachers," Gov. Easley said. "It will be an average of $36,000-36,500 when enacted. I'm sure many of you can recall when $30,000 sounded like a lot for teachers."

NC Association of Educator's Eddie Davis added, "To be able to say to people we are making the commitment to people to increase our teachers salaries as well as those mid career is a good connection and a good commitment for the people of North Carolina."

Gov. Easley also proposes $68 million dollars to help fix the mental health crisis. To pay for mental health and teacher raises, Easley wants to raise the cigarette tax by 20 cents a pack and four cents on alcohol.

"My thought is if 4 cents a can, if that causes somebody economic hardship, then they are probably drinking too much and are going to be customers of mental health/substance abuse centers anyway," Gov. Easley said.

Some feel those taxes target the poor and want taxes raised elsewhere.

"For example, we just eliminated an income tax on the wealthiest North Carolinians just last year which if you put that into place that would raise just as much money as they are going to raise from cigarette and alcohol taxes," Elaine Mejia from the NC Budget and Tax Center said.

While teachers and Gov. Easley are happy to get teacher's salaries up to the national average the state employees association is not so happy about their recommendations.

Easley's proposal offers state employees a 1.5% pay increase plus a one time $1000 bonus.

"This 1.5% can't put gas in your tank, as you know the cost of living is skyrocketing, gas food everything they need to just subsist is going through the roof and 1.5% won't come close to catching it," Ardis Watkins from the State Employees Association said.

Here's a look at some other recommendations. He returns $25 million in transportation funding to the highway trust fund. Easley gives four million dollars to improve probation problems highlighted by the Eve Carson murder case. He also give money to help families facing foreclosure and creates a drought task force.

Keep in mind these are simply the governor's proposals. The House and Senate must come up with their own versions, then all three sides must negotiate a final budget by June 30th.

From my story today..

RALEIGH -- Gov. Easley will unveil his final budget Monday morning and he says teacher pay will reach the national average.

Lawmakers get back to work in Raleigh on Tuesday and will come up with their budget proposals as well. Senior Political Reporter Tim Boyum has a sneak peak of what we can expect.

Two months ago Gov. Easley proposed a massive package to help prevent future droughts.

"We currently believe we really have a 19th century water system in place in the 21st century and we have to make changes and improve on those," Easley said in March.

Aides say his budget will call for a drought task force and a sales tax holiday in october on energy efficient products. The estimated $22 billion budget will equal a four percent increase. Easley will once again focus on education.

"It's the national economy that's causing us concern and we think it's only going to be investing in education that we give people the ability to get the jobs that are going to be here in the future," Easley Senior Aide Dan Gerlach said.

That includes enough teacher pay increases to reach the national average.

"That's what the governor said he would do and he's accomplishing that," Gerlach added. "There's nothing more important than getting the best and brightest into our classrooms. These teachers spend hours with these kids every day."

State employees will get raises as well but it's unclear how much. Easley will call for mental health reform and more money for probation staffing to fix problems highlighted by the Eve Carson murder case.

On transportation, he will keep a cap on the gas tax and begin shifting money back to the highway trust fund that's been used for other purposes.

"Given the needs of transportation, the governor feels it's time to start the phaseout and bring some of that money in the highway trust fund," Gerlach said.

Despite requests for billion dollar bonds for transportation, school construction, and water and sewer, Gov, Easley will not recommend borrowing big bucks for those projects.

The governor will make no changes to the lottery which expects to reach its financial goals this year. He also plans to expand a program offering free college to military kids who lost their parents.

Keep in mind this is simply Gov. Easley's proposal. The State House and Senate will come up with their own ideas. Then all three sides must negotiate a final plan by the end of June.

From my story today..

RALEIGH -- Gov. Easley will unveil his final budget Monday morning and he says teacher pay will reach the national average.

Lawmakers get back to work in Raleigh on Tuesday and will come up with their budget proposals as well. Senior Political Reporter Tim Boyum has a sneak peak of what we can expect.

Two months ago Gov. Easley proposed a massive package to help prevent future droughts.

"We currently believe we really have a 19th century water system in place in the 21st century and we have to make changes and improve on those," Easley said in March.

Aides say his budget will call for a drought task force and a sales tax holiday in october on energy efficient products. The estimated $22 billion budget will equal a four percent increase. Easley will once again focus on education.

"It's the national economy that's causing us concern and we think it's only going to be investing in education that we give people the ability to get the jobs that are going to be here in the future," Easley Senior Aide Dan Gerlach said.

That includes enough teacher pay increases to reach the national average.

"That's what the governor said he would do and he's accomplishing that," Gerlach added. "There's nothing more important than getting the best and brightest into our classrooms. These teachers spend hours with these kids every day."

State employees will get raises as well but it's unclear how much. Easley will call for mental health reform and more money for probation staffing to fix problems highlighted by the Eve Carson murder case.

On transportation, he will keep a cap on the gas tax and begin shifting money back to the highway trust fund that's been used for other purposes.

"Given the needs of transportation, the governor feels it's time to start the phaseout and bring some of that money in the highway trust fund," Gerlach said.

Despite requests for billion dollar bonds for transportation, school construction, and water and sewer, Gov, Easley will not recommend borrowing big bucks for those projects.

The governor will make no changes to the lottery which expects to reach its financial goals this year. He also plans to expand a program offering free college to military kids who lost their parents.

Keep in mind this is simply Gov. Easley's proposal. The State House and Senate will come up with their own ideas. Then all three sides must negotiate a final plan by the end of June.

Another NC superdelegate for Obama?

I had an interesting conversation with Muriel Offerman, who is a North Carolina superdelegate.

Here's her response when I asked if she's still truly remained undecided?

"Yes, yes I have. I will say that I'm probably leaning more toward a decision now after the vote has been taken in North Carolina because that definitely tells me which candidate this state is backing."

She said she will not make any decision official or public though until after June 3rd when every state has held a vote. She said it will come some time in June, not necessarily the day after the final vote.

She has had only one call this week and it was from the Obama campaign. The rest came from reporters like myself!

She said the day Gov. Easley endorsed Hillary Clinton that Clinton asked her directly for her support but she told Sen. Clinton that she would not until the primary races were all over. She said Obama asked her on the phone for her support as well at one point.

In all, she has met with Clinton 3 times, Barack Obama once, Michelle Obama once and had numerous phone conversations with surrogates.

Should be interesting!

Obama wins NC..

I don't think anyone will be surprised by results in NC. What was interesting was Obama's speech. If you didn't see it, you should.

He spent about 2 minutes talking about NC and then went on for 25 minutes as if he was the nominee.

He even went as far as to call North Carolina a swing state in November if he was the nominee. History will have a say in that. NC hasn't picked a Democrat since 1976.

Oh what a night....

I'll be at Obama headquarters in Raleigh tonight. I'll be posting more as the night goes on but I need to get there first so I'll be offline for a little bit.

I'll tell you what, if Obama loses it won't be because of his grassroots efforts. On several street corners there were tents with people selling T-shirts and pictures and pushing for votes.

In my neighborhood over the last several days people have canvassed the neighborhood and left literature on door knobs.

Should be interesting..come back for updates..probably anytime after 6!

Sorry I've been MIA on the blog lately..my my my has it been busy busy busy trying to do the TV end of things little alone do all my web work as well.

On top of that I had my first wedding anniversary this weekend!

Anywho..I'm in a mad dash tonight as well but in case you haven't heard Obama will be in Raleigh Tuesday night (Clinton is in Indiana). I had a few minutes with him as well this afternoon. Here's the script for your reading pleasure..

GREENSBORO -- News 14 Carolina Senior Political Reporter Tim Boyum had a chance to talk with Barack Obama just minutes before he left North Carolina Monday night.

The Democratic presidential candidate held no public events in the state but did hold three private meetings with voters.

Posing for pictures just moments before takeoff, Obama leaves the state confident his message about the economy and gas prices will lead to victory.

"I think the Democratic party needs to be the party of the future and not the party of the past and that's what's going to be at stake tomorrow and I hope North Carolinians take the opportunity to seize that moment," Sen. Obama said.

Polls have him ahead as well. He wants Tar Heel voters to know that he believes he's the candidate to beat John McCain in November.

"If you elect Senator Clinton as the nominee then we're going to have the same election we had in 2000 and 2004," Obama added. "We've been bringing in new people in the process getting them excited and so I believe we can reach independents and even some Republicans that Senator Clinton simply cannot do."

Obama believes there are key differences between him and Clinton that will help propel him to victory Tuesday night.

"Are we going to tell the american people the truth about how we solve problems like high gas prices?" Obama asked. "On one hand Senator Clinton is talking about a gas tax holiday that her own husband when it was before him in 2000 said it was a gimmick."

Just in case you're curious,despite so many delegates at stake on Tuesday, he sleeps just fine the night before big votes.

"I tend to sleep like a rock the night before because we've been working so hard to get as many votes as possible," Sen. Obama said. "obviously on the day of the election you're out there scrambling trying to figure out what's going on. That's why we have the tradition of playing some basketball on election day just to get some of the nerves out."

With that the six week campaign ends, Obama boards plane, hoping he's done enough to secure a victory in North Carolina.

Senator Obama and his wife Michelle will watch Tuesday's results at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh. It is not open to the public. it is for invited guests only.

Obama via satellite..

I had a chance to talk to Sen. Obama via satellite from Indiana today...

Here's a litte bit of what we talked about..

Short term gas price fix- He opposes 3 month gas tax holiday, supports $1000 middle class tax "cut"

Rev. Wright - believes it has hurt him in recent polls but hopes next 4-5 days will get back to the issues and it won't impact him any more.

Easley - wasn't surprised that he endorsed Clinton then went on to praise his own superdelegates (Reps. Watt, Price, Butterfield) and said Americans are more concerned with gas prices.

Missing layup against Hansbrough - upset he missed that moment and said it was really tough to keep up with "thoroughbreds"

You can see the full interview at news14.com or check out an hour long edition of Political Connections Friday at 6pm and Sunday at 11am.

Tomorrow I'll be working the late shift to cover the Jefferson-Jackson dinner. I believe we are planning on carrying the Obama, Clinton speeches on News 14 Carolina if you couldn't get a ticket.