Today marks not only the start of the new budget year but a variety of new state laws go into effect. Here's a sampling courtesy of the Associated Press:

-- State government takes over completely the Medicaid cost-sharing payments that counties paid for decades.

-- The state gasoline tax that was supposed to drop by 2 cents a gallon on Tuesday will remain the same.

-- A $675 million-plus bailout of the health insurance plan for teachers and state employees takes effect.

-- The state also expands property tax breaks for completely disabled veterans, the elderly and people with "working waterfront" property such as fisheries.

-- Active duty members of the military, including those who are home on leave, can hunt and fish without a license.

A Congressman is also angling for the sportsman vote.

In a guest column in The Leland Tribune, U.S. Rep. Mike McIntyre notes that October is the start of hunting and fishing season.

As a member of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, he notes that outdoor activities get Americans "off their couches and into the fresh air," reinforce conservation efforts and contribute more than $250 billion to the national economy, directly and indirectly.

Outdoor activities reinforce values of respect and environmental stewardship that help build strong communities, families, and characters.

McIntyre does mention some legislation, however. He notes that he voted for the U.S. Department of the Interior budget for 2008, which will provide $451 million for wildlife refuges.

The bill passed the House on a 272-155 vote in June.

Three gubernatorial candidates may have a bead on sportsmen.

According to state records, state Treasurer Richard Moore has had a lifetime comprehensive hunting license since 2003. His rival for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, had a basic inland fishing license in 2003 and 2004.

A Moore spokeswoman said he hunts quail and dove. A Perdue spokesman said she goes fishing near her home in New Bern and has gone fly fishing in the mountains.

Among the Republicans running for governor, former Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr has had a unified sportsman and coastal recreational fishing license since 1987. That includes hunting, inland and coastal fishing privileges.

Orr has gone fly fishing for trout on the Cane River near his Burnsville home, but he has not gone hunting.

"I'm hunting for votes and money right now," he joked.

No state hunting or fishing licenses were found for his Republican rivals, state Sen. Fred Smith and Salisbury attorney Bill Graham, in a search of the database from 2003 to present.

A Graham spokesman said he is a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and has gone hunting in the past.