Perdue orders new measures to cut costs

Gov. Beverly Perdue signaled today that she plans new austerity measures for North Carolina's government to deal with a declining economy.

Perdue issued an executive order this evening directing budget officials to look at several options, including budget cuts, a delay of public works projects, dipping into highway and other funds to finance the daily operations of government, and cancellation of purchases.

Perdue took the emergency action after getting more bad economic news from her budget advisers today, according to David Kochman, a spokesman for the governor.

Perdue issued the order as she prepares to fly to Washington Wednesday. There, along with the nation's other governors, she will meet with President-elect Barack Obama and North Carolina's congressional leaders, seeking help from a proposed economic stimulus package.