The plaza in front of the Legislative Building echoed Tuesday morning with a rarely heard cry: Raise our taxes, please.

More than 100 leaders and supporters of nonprofits, service organizations and professional associations warned of the likely damage from the sort of budget cuts being discussed by lawmakers. Many of the groups rely on state government for at least a portion of their funding or for their members' salaries.

"It's about preserving the public investments that keep our communities safe," said Kelvin Spragley, associate executive director of the N.C. Association of Educators.

Speakers at the rally cautioned that a recession is when North Carolinians turn to the government for help, such as a community college course to train for finding a new job or support programs, such as child care, that enable them to keep their jobs.

Francis DeLuca, executive director of the conservative Civitas Institute, said prioritizing spending is the answer, not taxes.

"North Carolinians as a whole are suffering," DeLuca said, "and don't want their taxes raised."