NC gets a B- in 50-state report that cites lack of transparency

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A government observer says North Carolina lacks transparency in its budgeting process, making it difficult for the public to follow and participate in how the state spends billions of tax dollars. The Pew Center on the States released a report Monday analyzing all 50 states on how well they manage their budgets, staffs, infrastructure and information. The group gave North Carolina a B-minus. The center said North Carolina does a good job pursuing new ideas to manage state personnel, but has struggled to implement those ideas because managers are decentralized. Each agency has its own human resources division, and not all of them want to operate the way the state suggests. The report also said state needs to improve its budgeting process, including how well it communicates and gathers information. (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)