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.

The Ways and Means Committee has neither ways nor means. Discuss.

As noted elsewhere, the state Senate committee's work belies its brash-sounding title, as it hasn't met since 2001.

That makes it a convenient place for Senate leader Marc Basnight to send bills to die.

Below, the bills sent there so far and what they would (have) do(ne):

S.B. 87: Taxpayers Protection Act: Put constitutional limits on state spending up for a referendum.

S.B. 108: Management of the Striped Bass Fishery: Authorize the Marine Fisheries Commission to create a tradeable quota on striped bass.

S.B. 118 and 119: Four-Year Terms: Lengthen state legislators' terms from two to four years.

S.B. 156: Session Limits: Limit legislature to 90 days in odd-numbered years, 45 in even-numbered.

S.B. 272: Defense of Marriage: Put a ban on gay marriage to the state constitution up for a referendum.

S.B. 329: Right to Hunt: Put a "right to hunt" amendment to the state constitution up for a referendum.

S.B. 351: No Felon as Sheriff: Put a constitutional ban on felons serving as sheriffs up for a referendum.

None of the bills are officially dead until crossover week, however. The committee is chaired by Sen. Charlie Dannelly, one of Basnight's top lieutenants, so a bill could conceivably be resurrected if he changed his mind. 

* Charlotte Observer editorialist Taylor Batten on legislative redistricting: "The referees are the very players whose future is at stake."

* Bowhunters excited to sling bows and arrows on Sunday, but not everyone is keen about allowing rifle hunting on the Sabbath. 

* Observers say Gov. Beverly Perdue is off to a strong start, energetic, centrist with "almost a Schwarzenegger-style self confidence." 

* Bill would require contractors eligible for federal stimulus money in North Caorlina to verify their employees' immigration status.

What state bills have the most opposition?

Recent surveys by the Elon University Poll, the conservative Civitas Institute and the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling have shown broad agreement on a number of issues.

Below, the percentage in opposition and the corresponding bill:

H.B. 362: Access to Higher Education (75 percent, 74 percent, PPP)

H.B. 120: Public Municipal Campaigns (73 percent, Civitas)

S.B. 20: Voter-Owned Election for Treasurer (73 percent, Civitas)

H.B. 71: Four-Year Terms (59 percent, Civitas)

S.B. 7: Allow Hunting on Sunday (58 percent, Civitas)

H.B. 154/H.B. 155: Appoint State Superintendent (51 percent, Civitas; 65 percent PPP)

Update: A poll by the N.C. Center for Voter Education found support for publicly financed municipal campaigns. 

What does North Carolina think?

Recent polls by the conservative Civitas Institute show significant agreement on a number of issues that are before the legislature.

Below, the percentage who agreed with a sentiment:

76: Support a state constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. 

75: The legislature should be broadcast live on TV, like C-SPAN. 

73: Political candidates should fund their own campaigns instead of using public financing. 

59: Members of the legislature should stick with two-year terms. 

58: Hunting should not be allowed on Sundays in North Carolina.

55: The state should set up an independent redistricting commission. 

51: Oppose a constitutional amendment to let the governor appoint the schools superintendent.

The poll of 600 registered voters was conducted Feb. 16-19 by TelOpinion Research of Alexandria, Va. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

You can fish on Sundays.

As noted previously, the legislature is considering a bill that would allow Sunday hunting, while the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is may allow bowhunting on Sundays.

But a reader points out to Dome that there are no restrictions on fishing on the traditional Christian Sabbath — especially notable because of this history.

Archers may soon be allowed to hunt on Sundays.

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is considering a rule change that would allow archers to practice their hobby during the traditional Christian Sabbath.

Currently, hunting with guns is prohibited by state law, but archery is handled at the regulatory level, so the change would not require the legislature to pass a bill.

Three rule changes are under consideration. One would allow bow hunting on private lands; a second, on public lands where hunting is allowed. A third would allow hunters who use falcons.

"Bow hunting on Sundays would increase opportunities, particularly for hunters who can only hunt on the weekends because of work obligations," the rules change reads.

The commission will vote on the change at its March 4 meeting.

Previously: Bill would end ban on Sunday hunting.

Eleven states limit Sunday hunting.

According to the National Rifle Association, a gun rights advocacy group, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey and Connecticut prohibit hunting on Sundays completely.

Four states have more limited bans.

Maryland allows it on two Sundays during deer season; South Carolina, on private land; North Carolina, on some federal installations; and West Virginia, in local counties that have approved it.

New York, Ohio and Michigan have overturned Sunday hunting bans in recent years.

A state study showed nearly two thirds of Tar Heels disapprove of hunting on Sundays.

The survey of North Carolina residents in 2006 found that 65 percent opposed legalizing hunting on Sundays, while only 25 percent approved of overturning the current ban.

Of opponents, 62 percent cited religious reasons for their objections.

Sunday hunting, which has been illegal since 1869, was also opposed by hunters themselves. The study found that 53 percent of hunters opposed legalizing it, while only 38 percent supported it. Of hunters who opposed it, 68 percent cited religious reasons.

Natural resource research firm Responsive Management and Virginia Tech did the poll as part of a study by the state Wildlife Resources Commission. Full results are here, a summary here.

The survey of 1,212 residents was done in June and July of 2006. The margin of error was plus or minus 2.8 percentage points.

Previously: Bill would end ban on Sunday hunting; other blue laws; pro-gun blogger against lifting ban.

* Rep. Bruce Goforth writes a bill that would extend legislators' terms from two years to four, says it would cut PAC influence, fundraising.

* U.S. Sen. Richard Burr makes the rounds, appearing on Fox News and WPTF, at press conference and on Senate floor to speak against SCHIP, stimulus package.

* Greensboro News-Record columnist Doug Clark says Senate Republican leader Phil Berger should go over legislators' heads and talk straight to the governor.

* Conservative, gun-owning NRA member Katy Benningfield speaks out against bill allowing hunting on Sundays, cites personal safety while mountain biking.