RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Lawmakers expect Gov. Beverly Perdue's budget for the coming year will include ambitious efforts to improve North Carolina's public education and mental health systems, as well as spending cuts to help pay for them.
Perdue is scheduled Tuesday to propose adjustments to the $19.6 billion spending plan for the fiscal year starting July 1.
The plan was approved by the General Assembly last summer. Legislative budget writers got a preview of Perdue's proposal last week.
Senior House budget co-chairman Mickey Michaux said Perdue also wants to make changes to personal care services provided by Medicaid. Sen. A.B. Swindell said Monday the governor didn't talk about cutting state employees or teachers. But he added program cuts usually mean eliminating jobs.
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