©
By Gary D. Robertson
RALEIGH, N.C.
North Carolina's highest court now must decide whether the power of the governor to balance the budget includes taking money from special pots of money set aside by the Legislature.
The state Supreme Court heard oral arguments today in a case that attracted the attention of former governors and current legislative leaders who attended the hearing in Raleigh. Attorneys on both sides of the lawsuit said the court's decision will determine how state leaders can respond to a fiscal emergency.
Two former state officials sued in 2002 when then-Gov. Mike Easley transferred $80 million from the Highway Trust Fund to help close a shortfall. Attorneys for the state said a governor needs that authority to respond quickly to falling tax revenues.
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Twitter
Google
Yahoo
