RALEIGH, N.C.) – Gov. Beverly Perdue is easing up on spending restrictions following approval of a state budget, but limits on purchases, travel and hiring for North Carolina’s government will continue.

Perdue’s budget director on Friday sent a memo telling state agencies to hold back five percent of what the budget authorized.

Public schools are exempted. Agency heads must continue approving travel and pay raises, but now have flexibility to decide how to manage spending.

Since April, state agencies have been authorized to spend only for mandatory obligations such as salaries, debt service and utilities.

Perdue spokesman David Kochman said the governor is being cautious since tax increases used to balance the budget won’t be available for months.