Officials say state revenue is running $320 million under projection so far (out of a $7.2 billion budget), and Gov. Mike Easley (D) estimates that the final shortfall will be about $1.2 billion. Easley is going ahead with capital spending projects, and has held up 5% of agency budgets. Newly elected Gov. Bev Perdue (D) has said she plans on lobbying for federal aid. More on North Carolina here.
