Gov. Bev Perdue was in Charlotte this afternoon to announce a state partnership with Microsoft to offer free technology training.

The governor appeared on the campus of Central Piedmont Community College to announce that North Carolina will receive 10,500 vouchers for Microsoft Windows and Office online training, 10,500 vouchers for Microsoft Business Certification Exams and 2,700 vouchers for advanced technical professional-level online training, Rob Christensen reports.

Each voucher is redeemable for free online training in Microsoft Windows or one of the programs in the Microsoft Suite.

The vouchers will be distributed through the state community college system, the Division of Workforce Development in the N.C. Department of Commerce, and the N.C. Employment Security Commission.

The partnership is called "Microsoft Elevate America."

U.S. Sen. Richard Burr is attentive to black constituents, a news report says.

An article in CQ Politics Monday noted that the Winston-Salem Republican has done a lot of "political legwork" on issues important to the black community:

In February, Burr introduced legislation (S 413) aimed at boosting graduation rates for low-income and minority students, an issue on which he has teamed up with Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Chaka Fattah , whose district includes Philadelphia.

He has been involved in efforts to combat sickle cell disease and to reauthorize the Healthy Start program, which is designed to reduce infant mortality and the number of babies born at low weights. Both issues disproportionately affect African-Americans.

The article also notes that Burr has helped get federal money for Central Piedmont Community College, N.C. Central University, a community center in Rocky Mount and a sewage treatment plant in Durham.

In 2004, only 12 percent of his votes came from black constituents.

Hat Tip: CitizenOpinionated

During an appearance in Charlotte 18 months ago, President Bush may have regretted calling on a man who'd raised his hand in the balcony at Central Piedmont Community College.

"I have never felt more ashamed of, nor more frightened, by my leadership in Washington, including the presidency," Harry Taylor told the president. "And I would hope from time to time that you have the humility and the grace to be ashamed of yourself."

Taylor's public scolding of the president made news around the world. It brought him interviews on network news shows and made him a darling of the liberal blogosphere. He prompted one blog called simply: thankyouharrytaylor.org.

Now the Charlotte businessman plans to run for Congress against Republican Rep. Sue Myrick, reports The Charlotte Observer's Jim Morrrill. Taylor's formal announcement is scheduled for mid-November. But a message from him is posted on the Web site BlueNC.

I am not a politician, nor have I ever sought to become one. But now, I am so seriously concerned about what is happening to our beloved America, I have decided to run for the U.S. Congress. We face a very divisive partisan incumbent who has been a rubber stamp for Bush's policies on such issues as Iraq and children's health care. Success will take enormous effort, and I cannot do it alone. Simply and honestly, I need your help!