In a press release Tuesday, the secretary of state said she would ask that her annual salary be reduced by half a percent, in line with cuts proposed by Gov. Beverly Perdue.

Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin also said Tuesday that he will take a voluntary pay cut in line with what the Governor has requested and what state employees have received.

All state employees will receive a half a percent reduction of their annual salary in their May and June paychecks. Commissioner Goodwin has volunteered for the pay cut because under state law, Governor Perdue does not have the authority to reduce the pay of Council of State members.

“When the Governor announced the flexible furlough program for state employees last week, I began the process of requesting that my salary be reduced as well,” said Commissioner Goodwin. “Balancing our state’s budget will not be an easy task, and I certainly want to do my part in supporting my employees at the Department of Insurance and this portion of the state budget solution.”

RALEIGH, N.C.- The monthly meeting of the North Carolina Council of State has been overshadowed by the death of former Insurance Commissioner Jim Long.

Gov. Beverly Perdue opened Tuesday’s meeting with a moment of silence for Long, who died Monday at age 68. Long served 24 years on the council while he was commissioner, and he retired last month. Long suffered a stroke two weeks ago.

Attorney General Roy Cooper wore a red tie and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall a red scarf in memory of Long, who always wore a red tie in honor of his father.

Long’s death subdued an otherwise historic meeting. Six of the 10 council members are women following the November election. The female majority is a first for the state.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Former Gov. Jim Hunt, N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, U.S. Reps. David Price, Bob Etheridge, Brad Miller, G.K. Butterfield and N.C. Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand will join forces Monday to support Senator Obama and his healthcare plan.

The event will focus on how an Obama Administration will address the challenges facing North Carolina families. The event begins at 9:30 a.m. at the State Farmers Market Restaurant, 1240 Farmer’s Drive, Raleigh.