Gov. Perdue’s 2010-11 Budget Recommendations: General Government

On net, the Governor made almost no changes to state funding levels for agencies devoted to performing General Government functions. A slight expansion of 0.3 percent for this department marks the smallest amount of recommended adjustments in her proposal.

The Governor did, however, focus on the General Government budget in her “Good Government Package,” which included a number of efforts to reduce ethical violations in state government.

Major expansions and reductions include:

Expansions

• $9.5 million to expand the Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Automated Data Services (CJLEADS) program. The program is designed to integrate “criminal justice information” into a centralized system
• $133,508 to create an Online Statement of Economic Interest. The funding would enable a much more modern method for candidates and lawmakers to file their financial disclosure forms
• $104,386 to more closely monitor compliance with the gift ban on elected officials
• $189,706 for additional resources enabling more prompt complaint investigations and requests for advice
• $450,000 to develop campaign finance software intended to “improve the ease and reliability of filing, reporting, and auditing of campaign finance disclosure reports.”
• $1.1 million increase in funding for the NC Museum of Art, including the addition of 8 new maintenance positions

Reductions

• $1.5 million from “operating efficiencies” for the Department of Insurance
• $409,236 reduction in grant funding to domestic and sexual violence organizations