What they said

It was a difficult, hot summer at the legislature. Here are some of the voices of the session:

'We took big cuts and made hard choices, but by tomorrow we will have balanced the budget with our priorities intact.'

Gov. Bev Perdue

'I've heard all this talk about tough decisions. I suggest to you there's not one tough decision in this bill.'

Rep. Johnathan Rhyne Jr., a Lincolnton Republican, on the passage of a $19 billion budget

'I like the flavor. It's crispy and not gooey. It's not overdone.'

Sylvia Bolton, supervisor of the legislature's bill proofreaders, on the top-selling fried squash in the legislative cafeteria

'I have found that 90 percent of the time when you say, 'Where shall we cut?' nobody wants to offer up their ox.'

Sen. A.B. Swindell, a Nashville Democrat

'Those are the nicest things that have ever been said to me in Raleigh and definitely in Chapel Hill also.'

Mike Krzyzewski, Duke men's basketball coach, after his national championship team was honored at the legislature

'Those that favor the budget are talking about it like you talk about your grandchildren. Those who hate the budget are talking about it like the guy who broke into your house two weeks ago.'

Rep. Ronnie Sutton, a Robeson County Democrat

'They should be ashamed of themselves, taking away our little fun.'

Annette Huggins, video sweepstakes player, referring to the ban on the games