RALEIGH (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue is vetoing the Republican-penned budget bill for the second year in a row, saying it isn’t good enough and didn’t reverse harmful cuts for public education from last year’s budget.
“I’ve decided that I have no choice but to veto this budget,” Perdue said at a news conference today.  She planned to submit the formal veto later today.
The budget adjustments for the coming year have been on her desk since last week. The Democrat had until Sunday evening to veto the bill, sign it or let it become law without her signature.
Perdue has complained for weeks about the $20 billion-plus plans approved by the GOP-led Legislature, saying they didn’t invest enough in the public schools. She spent this week trying to persuade lawmakers to find an additional $100 million to fund key areas, but GOP leaders declined.
She said the budget would give public schools $190 million less compared to this year.
The Legislature will attempt to override her veto next week. Lawmakers got help from five House Democrats to cancel her budget veto last year.