N.C. Educators Concerned About Possible Cuts

The governor wants to raise the sales tax, eliminate the marriage penalty and offer a tax break to the poor. The Republicans responded by saying taxes do not need to go up. Instead, they argue, government needs to cut spending.

Their proposal to cut 3 percent from every department's budget is upsetting educators.

"These are unacceptable. You cannot cut your way to excellence. You cannot cut your way to safe schools. You cannot cut your way to closing the achievement gap," said Carolyn McKinney of the North Carolina Association of Educators.

The North Carolina Community College System released a similar response Friday, saying the cuts would decrease the quality of education.