Perdue signs 'accountability' orders

RALEIGH -- Gov. Beverly Perdue this morning signed a series of executive orders -- reforms and initiatives promised during her campaign -- that are intended to change how state government operates.

The orders affect how the budget is written, how roads are built, how campaigns are funded and how the public gets information from state government. They represent a new manner of doing business, underscored by reorganizing the furniture in the governor's office.

The directives "begin the process of raising the bar for all of us," Perdue said during a signing ceremony in her office.

Approving the "change orders," as Perdue calls them, was her first act as governor, but she acknowledges that the three most sweeping orders require the legislature to change the law.

She ordered that the Board of Transportation, criticized over the years for approving projects based on patronage and parochialism instead of need, should cede its authority to approve road projects to the secretary of transportation. Such decisions would be made by the professional planners and engineers at the department.

State law, however, requires that the board be consulted on any spending in their districts. Perdue acknowledged the statutory obstacle but said the board will shift gears voluntarily.

"Because the governor of this state appoints the DOT board, we will be able to convince them very easily to delegate that authority," she said.

Another push for change, Perdue's soon-to-be-appointed Budget Reform and Accountability Commission, can't do much of anything unless the legislature gives up a substantial portion of its power over the state budget.

Much of lawmakers' power is derived from their ability to determine where money is spent. The reform commission, based on the federal commission that handles military base closings, would propose a set of budget reforms each year. The legislature could approve or reject them as a group but couldn't change any of them.

Perdue said she will meet with legislative leaders this week and acknowledged that it will be a challenge to pass legislation in which lawmakers abdicate authority.

"Whether they want to fight about it is still to be seen," Perdue said.

The legislature would also have to sign off on Perdue's proposal to form an endowment to fund both major parties' campaigns for governor. Perdue hopes to remove the dominance of money in the race. While the legislature may offer few, if any, objections to creating the endowment, there is widespread skepticism over whether Perdue could raise sufficient money or whether candidates would give up their most powerful ammunition, the ability to spend unlimited money on television ads.

Other change orders included:

-- posting all government contracts and grants on a single, searchable Web site.

-- Perdue making surprise inspections at state agencies and facilities and conducting performance reviews of agencies.

-- Perdue holding four town hall meetings across the state during her term.

Also today, Perdue is scheduled to preside over the swearing-in of her new cabinet. The event takes place at 2 p.m. in the old House chambers of the Capitol.

Immediate relatives and invited guests witness the ceremony in person. State employees and members of the public will be able to view a live video in the auditorium of the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences on Jones Street.