Legislators rate Perdue's address

Lawmakers from across North Carolina Monday night gave Gov. Bev Perdue high marks for her first State of the State address to the General Assembly. However, some said the governor came up short on details.

"The speech was good but very general," Rep. Robert Grady, R-Onslow, said after the speech. "The budget will be very specific."

Sen. David Hoyle, D-Gaston, a longtime friend of Perdue's, said the governor's speech was "typical Bev."

Hoyle said he was specifically glad to hear Perdue talk about bringing more transparency into state government.

"That would put more confidence in our government," Hoyle said.

Rep. Alice Underhill, D-Craven, said she thought Perdue's speech was excellent.

"I thought she was very forthright about the challenges we face," Underhill said. "There was optimism mixed with reality."

Rep. Pearl Burris-Floyd, R-Gaston, said that while Perdue gave a "feel-good message," she didn't lay out how the state would overcome an estimated $2 billion-plus budget gap.

"It really didn't chart the way," Burris-Floyd said. "I didn't get any clear guidance."

Sen. Charlie Albertson, D-Duplin, said that while Perdue did "her customary good job," he was also waiting for more details.

"She said she wasn't going to cut education," Albertson said. "It will be interesting to see the details of her budget."

Grady also wondered how Perdue would fulfill her pledge to increase per-pupil spending in public schools.

He noted that there will be more students entering public schools and that education spending makes up the bulk of the state's budget.

"That'll be an interesting challenge to see how that works," Grady said.

Perdue also pledged to use technology to modernize the classroom and said she would work to remove financial barriers for access to higher education.

"I thought it was a nice place to start a conversation with the governor," Rep. Alice Bordsen, D-Alamance said.

Bordsen said she was glad Perdue's emphasis was on education.

"We all care a lot about education," Bordsen said. Bordsen also noted that lawmakers had concerns about North Carolinians losing their jobs and figuring out ways to pay their mortgages.

Sen. Tony Foriest, D-Alamance, said he was glad to hear Perdue commit to protecting the state's basic infrastructure despite tough economic times.

"She has certainly outlined the fact that we have some difficult days ahead," Sen. Tony Foriest, D-Alamance, said. "The pain is going to be felt by everybody."