Perdue taps into NC lottery funds early in term

RALEIGH – Gov. Beverly Perdue’s decision to move $88 million in state lottery profits to help quell North Carolina’s budget crisis worries both lottery allies and critics.

Perdue this week defended the transfer as a precautionary move but couldn’t guarantee the money would be returned because financial problems may worsen.

The North Carolina Education Lottery supports school construction projects and other education-related programs.

Perdue said the money won’t stop school construction projects. About $38 million of the lottery money she took was earmarked to build schools.

Perdue still wants a constitutional amendment requiring lottery money be dedicated for education, but lawmakers aren’t sure it would prevent her from tapping the funds again.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)