RALEIGH, N.C. – In a letter to lawmakers today, Gov. Bev Perdue provided a pathway to a balanced budget that protects education and other core services. The pathway also calls upon budget writers to make significant cuts, to increase revenue through specific revenue increases, and to take steps to modernize North Carolina’s tax code, including permanent reductions to sales, income and business tax rates.

Gov. Perdue outlined the four key principles she believes are vital to a balanced and responsible budget. The pathway incorporates aspects of existing proposals, including some from her own budget and from the House and Senate.

“We must remember that the decisions we make today are not about our political future, they are about our children’s future,” she said.

The letter, sent to every Senate and House member today, detailed these principles:

·         Protection of education and core public safety and health care services

·         Fairness to working families

·         Modernization of the tax code with permanent rate reduction

·         Targeted tax relief