Jul. 5--So much for gubernatorial clout. On Wednesday, Gov. Beverly Perdue admonished the General Assembly to get its budget work done promptly. Time and revenue's a'wastin'.

On Thursday, lawmakers went home, nowhere near getting a budget done.

The governor, whose approval ratings are plunging almost as fast as GM stock, did have a good point: Every day the legislature fails to complete budget -- including cuts and new taxes -- the state loses about $5 million.

"I need the General Assembly to step up and come to consensus," Perdue said Wednesday. "We appreciate (her) participation and encouragement," House Speaker Joe Hackney said, "and welcome it."

On Thursday, he sent state representatives home. The Senate did the same. It appears to be the only thing the two bodies agreed on.

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