RALEIGH -- The North Carolina Department of Transportation has laid off temporary workers and slashed budgets but still footed a bill of more than $1,000 to send an employee to a conference at a resort. The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Friday that the DOT sent the manager to an executive networking conference at a Pinehurst hotel last week. The conference was organized by the Durham-based N.C. Institute for Minority Economic Development. DOT paid a $1,000 conference fee as well as room charges for Shelton Russell. He is the DOT's director of work force opportunity and development. DOT spokeswoman Greer Beaty said Russell's office provides technical assistance and training to firms owned by minorities, women and the disabled. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)