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TODAY AT THE STATEHOUSE: As the final two days of the self-imposed crossover deadline begin, it's crunch time. You can tell from the lobbyists working the halls, either trying to get a bill to move or asking committee chairman to "pray on it" for a little while longer. And the controversial bills are coming the surface. A House committee will consider a bill to extend "protections of conscience" to more medical professionals and cover more things, such as providing contraception. In the same committee, another measure dubbed the "Religious Freedom Restoration Act" is sure to recall attempts earlier this session to declare the state's ability to establish an official religion.

The full House - which convenes near 2 p.m. -- will also consider a bill to soften rules on where local governments must post public notices. A controversial amendment would tell newspapers how much they could charge for such advertisements. The Senate this afternoon will consider measures to amend environmental regulations and repeal local smoking bans. Gov. Pat McCrory is spending another day in New Orleans at a Republican Governor's Association event.

WOS ROADSHOW CONTINUES: A week after a major gaffe by Health and Human Services Secretary Aldona Wos, her statewide tour to tout Medicaid reforms continues. She visits Durham on Wednesday where she will encounter members of the Medical Professionals for Expanded Health Access who expect to question her about the state's decision to reject a Medicaid expansion. Wos blamed Democratic Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin for the decision -- even though it was ultimately made by her boss, Gov. Pat McCrory. The event starts at 4 p.m.

***Thanks for reading the Dome Morning Memo -- a roundup of North Carolina political news and notes. Send tips to dome@newsobserver.com.***

Capping off Sunshine Week, state Sen. Thom Goolsby has filed a bill that would pry open substantial personnel records of state workers.

SB332 would make public the reason that any state employee is fired, suspended, demoted or transferred, as well as promoted. Currently, only the reason for a promotion is public.

The Wilmington Republican’s bill would require a general description for the reason for the change in job status. It would also make employees’ job performance a public record.

The State Employees Association of North Carolina was quick to condemn the proposal, calling it “one big bad idea.” SEANC, in an emailed newsletter sent out Friday, said, “The bill would serve no legitimate purpose; it simply would create a forum for gossip and potential lawsuits.”

The State Employees Association of North Carolina is accusing state Treasurer Janet Cowell of rushing through a State Health Plan that would more than triple premiums.

The proposal, which will be voted on by a health plan board of trustees in the Treasurer’s Office on Monday, was presented to House and Senate leaders and SEANC on Thursday.

According to SEANC legislative affairs director Ardis Watkins, the board originally called for a meeting on Super Bowl Sunday, before rescheduling.

Updated

Republicans are crying foul about a scathing attack ad against lieutenant governor candidate Dan Forest.

The State Employees Association of North Carolina paid for the spot, which touts Democratic candidate Linda Coleman. But the 30-second spot didn't meet a legal requirement that the ad show the picture of the person who is reading the "paid for" disclaimer.

The N.C. Republican Party sent a complaint to state election officials Wednesday and SEANC fixed the ad the same day.

N.C. Republican Party leaders were aware of a reported relationship between Wake County school board members Debra Goldman and Chris Malone, yet they still discouraged other potential GOP candidates from opposing Goldman in her run for state auditor, a former opponent said Tuesday. After voting Tuesday, Pat McCrory wouldn't say whether he supported Goldman. Read the full story here.

More political headlines:

--The state employees association unveiled a website Tuesday that highlights the GOP lieutenant governor candidate Dan Forest's thoughts on  “Islamic extremists” who want to impose Shariah law and a United Nations plan for sustainable development called Agenda 21. “He is probably the most radical candidate who’s ever run for North Carolina office,” said Dana Cope, the group's leader.

The State Employees Association of North Carolina launched a statewide ad supporting Democrat Linda Coleman in the lieutenant governor's race that says her  GOP opponent Dan Forest holds extreme positions on the minimum wage and women's healthcare.

The initial media buy is $200,000, according to SEANC.

The State Employees Association gave awards to three Democratic lawmakers who rebuffed Gov. Bev Perdue and voted to override her budget veto.

Reps. Marcus Brandon, Darren Jackson and Marian McLawhorn received the legislator of the year awards at SEANC's annual convention in Greensboro last weekend for their votes that gave state employees 1.2 percent pay raise and five days of bonus leave time.

Dana Cope, executive director of the State Employees Association of North Carolina, received a five-year contract extension from the group's Board of Governors. 

Cope started at the organization in 2000, having worked as a lobbyist for the state Department of Labor. Cope was running in the Democratic primary for Labor Commissioner when he dropped his campaign and took the SEANC job. 

In 2008, SEANC became an affiliate of the Service Employees International Union. Cope is a member of SEIU's executive committee. 

Former Congressman Bob Etheridge has a 10-point lead over Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton in the Democratic primary for governor, according to a new state-wide poll conducted for State Employees Association of North Carolina.

Etheridge leads with 32 percent, followed by Dalton with 22 percent, and former state Rep. Bill Faison with 4 percent, according to the survey. But a large number of Democratic primary voters, 42 percent, have not yet made up their mind.

UPDATED: The State Employees Association of North Carolina is prepared to spend more than $1.8 million to help get Linda Coleman the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, even though she faces a highly touted primary candidate.

The organization launched its first radio advertisement Wednesday touting Coleman, the state's personnel director and a former state lawmaker, as "a champion for working people." It debuts as candidates are still considering whether to run for the state's No. 2 post -- a campaign that could get overshadowed by a Democratic governor's race on the May primary ballot.

The one-minute ad is airing on most radio stations in the Fayetteville area, said Dana Cope, the SEANC executive director. With a $13,000 price tag, the group is hoping to saturate the hometown of state Sen. Eric Mansfield, who announced his candidacy Tuesday for lieutenant governor.