Lewis, a Dunn Republican has launched a petition drive and an ad raliing against what he calls the "billion dollar lie."

Democrats describe the budget deficit as $4 billion or more. Republicans say that figure is intentionally misleading.

Revenue next year is expected to be more than $4 billion behind what it would have taken to keep funding programs and services at recent levels. Even measuring against this year's spending, which has been cut from what was approved in this year's budget, revenues are nearly $3 billion behind. Those figures do not account for approximately $1.3 billion in federal stimulus money, as the state historically has not calculated federal money in totaling up the general fund budget.

More after the jump.

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Former Raleigh Mayor Tom Fetzer has produced a video ad criticizing Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue as part of his campaign for state GOP chariman.

The ad, which is available on YouTube, is designed to show what Fetzer could do as party chairman. Fetzer is one of four candidates for the top Republican post which will be selected next weekend at the state GOP convention in Raleigh.

The ad criticizes Perdue for failing to take any action against a number of Democrats, including former Gov. Mike Easley, who are either at the center of controversy or who have gone to jail.

SEANC is airing more ads against state legislators.

The State Employees Association of North Carolina is running radio ads against Reps. Ray Rapp of Madison County and Van Braxton of Lenoir County, both Democrats. 

As part of an ongoing campaign, ads criticize the legislators for voting for a bill designed to keep the State Health Plan afloat.

"Legislators need to understand this issue is not going away," said Executive Director Dana Cope in a statement. "We will hold them accountable when they make bad decisions, and SEANC will educate constituents when their legislators decide to put a multi-million dollar nonprofit's interests ahead of North Carolina taxpayers."

Previous ads have targeted Senate Majority Leader Hugh Holliman and Reps. Margaret Dickson, Bruce Goforth and Pryor Gibson. 

Another SEANC ad targets Rep. Hugh Holliman.

The State Employees Association of North Carolina is running a radio ad criticizing the Democratic Majority Leader for supporting a temporary fix to the State Health Plan.

"Hugh Holliman has his priorities wrong," the ad says. "He's part of the problem when he needs to be part of the solution. Maybe it's time for new leadership in the North Carolina legislature."

It also quotes the editorial board of the Greenville Daily Reflector, which said "lawmakers should be ashamed" and called the health plan bill "unconscionable."

Another SEANC ad criticizes Rep. Margaret Dickson for supporting the bill.

After the jump, the script.

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SEANC is airing radio ads against the State Health Plan fix.

The State Employees Association of North Carolina's ads criticize Blue Cross Blue Shield and state legislators for proposing to cut benefits and raise premiums.

"It's not just executives on Wall Street who are making millions at our expense," the narrator says. "Right here in North Carolina, big shots at Blue Cross Blue Shield are bringing home multi-million dollar paychecks, while health care costs skyrocket."

The ad notes that Blue Cross made $180 million last year administering the plan.

"Now the State Health Plan is in trouble and the legislature wants to not only cut benefits, but raise premiums, deductibles and co-pays to cover the costs and leave Blue Cross Blue Shield profits untouched," it says. "That's not fair."

SEANC said the ad is airing "in several markets." A version of the ad available on its Web site urges listeners to call House Majority Leader Hugh Holliman.

After the jump, the script.

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A liberal group is running TV ads urging Sen. Kay Hagan to support President Obama's budget.

Americans United for Change, a liberal advocacy group that receives backing from labor unions, will spend at least $700,000 on ads in nine states, including North Carolina.

The states "just happen to be represented by some of the more conservative Democratic senators," MSNBC's First Read reports. 

The ad is one of at least three TV and radio ads in North Carolina. The other two target U.S. Reps. Bob Etheridge and Mike McIntyre, two conservative Democrats.

Hagan recently joined a group of moderate Democrats and has written a letter to the Senate Budget Committee protesting Obama's proposed cuts in farm funding.

After the jump, the script. 

Hat Tip: Mark Binker

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