RALEIGH, N.C. – North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue wants to take a step toward paying people forcibly sterilized through a state-sponsored eugenics program in the mid-20th century.

Perdue released her proposed two-year state government budget Tuesday and asked the Legislature to put $250,000 in a proposed Justice for Sterilization Victims Foundation.

Perdue provided few details in the budget except it would provide assistance for people who were forcibly sterilized between 1929 and 1974. About 7,600 people were sterilized because they were mentally handicapped or considered genetically inferior.

A state commission recommended financial compensation in 2003, but it has never occurred. Perdue said in her campaign last year she would carry out the panel’s recommendations.

A House panel last year also recommended the state give $20,000 to victims.