She's back.

After a week of vacation, Gov. Beverly Perdue is back on the job. And she's willing to tell you what she'll be doing this week.

The governor's office has released Perdue's schedule for the week. It does not include the time and location for all of her meetings, but it does provide some details on who she's meeting with and what she's doing.

For example, Perdue is scheduled today to meet with representatives of the N.C. Association of Educators and the leaders of the N.C. Association of County Commissioners.

On Wednesday, she has a senior staff meeting, budget meetings and plans to attend the N.C. State-UNC basketball game.

Later in the week, Perdue plans to speak to the AFL-CIO Legislative Conference in Raleigh, speak at the board meeting of the State Employees Association of N.C. and speak to a meeting of the N.C. Center for Nonprofits.

She's also scheduled for "ethics refresher training" on Friday, and to attend the National Governor's Association meeting in Washington this weekend.

During her campaign, Perdue pledged to bring more transparency to the operations of state government. Her predecessor, Mike Easley, rarely shared details of his schedule.

David Young is starting a new business.

After running unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for state treasurer this year, the outgoing Buncombe County commissioner announced last week that he and his wife Leigh will be forming Young and Associates.

The company aims to help local government find top management personnel.

"I wanted to stay involved in local government and give back a portion of what I received over my 16-year tenure," he said in a statement.

The company will seek to be a middle-man between qualified managers and cities and counties with openings, including providing interim leaders.

Young is the past president of the N.C. Association of County Commissioners.

He lost the May primary to Treasurer-elect Janet Cowell.

The Sierra Club is holding a gubernatorial forum on water policy.

The environmentalist group has invited the four major Republican and two major Democratic candidates to a forum at Griffith Theater at Duke University on March 25 from 1 to 4 p.m. They hope to hold two forums for each party.

Co-sponsors include the League of Municipalities, the N.C. Association of County Commissioners, the N.C. Rural Center and the CCNC. 

The N.C. Association of Educators has endorsed three candidates.

The educator's group announced that it is endorsing state Sen. Kay Hagan for the U.S. Senate, NCAE president Eddie Davis for superintendent of public instruction and Buncombe County commissioner David Young for state treasurer.

In a press release, the group praised Hagan's opposition to school vouchers and efforts to close the minority achievement gap in the Senate; Davis' work to improve teaching conditions and increase salaries; and Young's work as head of the N.C. Association of County Commissioners.

"Our nearly 70,000 members will work hard this election season to help each of these pro-public education candidates get into office," said Vice President Sheri Strickland.

State Rep. Dale Folwell got kudos from an unlikely source.

The Winston-Salem Republican received the first President's Award from the N.C. Association of County Commissioners for his work on a 2005 bill that will help counties collect unapid motor vehicle property taxes.

The association estimates that the bill will result in the collection of $80 million each year by requiring property taxes be paid before a vehicle is registered.

The award was presented by David Young, a Buncombe County commissioner who is  currently head of the association.

The catch? Both men are running for state treasurer. For now, it's not certain that they'll face off against each other.

Folwell faces a primary challenge from state Rep. Bill Daughtridge; Young faces state Rep. Janet Cowell and Raleigh attorney Michael Weisel.

David Young is running for state treasurer.

The Buncombe County commissioner announced Wednesday he would enter the crowded field trying to succeed state Treasurer Richard Moore, who is running for governor, Rob Christensen reports.

Young said he wants to maintain North Carolina's AAA bond rating, keep the state pension sound, and expand efforts to help local governments in financing their water and sewer needs.

He cited his background as a county commissioner for the past 16 years, and his experience in running a travel agency as helping prepare him for the job.

He brings wide contacts to his campaign. He is president of the N.C. Association of County Commissioners and a member of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors.

Besides campaigns for local office, Young once ran for Congress.

Other Democrats in the race are state Sen. Janet Cowell, and Raleigh attorney Michael Weisel, who ran for treasurer in 1996.

The N.C. Association of County Commissioners is training the troops.

At a day-long seminar, the association told 120 local officials from 45 counties how to fight a local ballot battle for a transfer tax.

Counties can't spend taxpayer money in support of referenda, but county commissioners can stump for them on their own dime. 

Sixteen counties, including Chatham, Johnston and possibly Orange, will ask voters to approve a new tax on the 0.4 percent tax on real estate sales.

The N.C. Association of Realtors is partnering with local groups to fight the measures. (N&O) 

County officials said thanks today.

Wake County Commissioner Joe Bryan was in the basement cafeteria of the General Assembly building shortly after noon handing out cream-colored thank-you notes from the N.C. Association of County Commissioners.

"Thank you so much for removing the Medicaid burden off the backs of counties and for providing us with additional revenue options so we can manage our growth," the note read. "We truly appreciate how much time and effort you put into this issue for counties."

That was a reference to two items in the budget which reduced Medicaid payments from counties and gave them the option to levy a transfer tax or sales tax if voters approve.

Bryan, who was smiling widely, said he was giving the notes to any legislator, regardless of whether they voted for the budget or not.

"This is a historic session for North Carolina's counties," he said.

David Young, a Buncombe County commissioner, is looking at running for state treasurer next year.

"I'm absolutely looking at the race," Young said. "It fits my background and personality."

Young, 47, has served 16 years as a county commissioner and is the incoming president of the N.C. Association of County Commissioners. He runs a travel agency and served on the University of North Carolina Board of Governors.

Young is one of a growing number of Democrats looking at running for the seat of state Treasurer Richard Moore, who will run for governor next year.

Carranza Pryor, a lawyer for TIAA-CREF in Charlotte, is thinking about running for state treasurer next year, So is Raleigh attorney Michael Weisel, state Sen. Janet Cowell and Chris Mintz, president of Mintz Investment Companies.

The latest lobbying reports show that the N.C. Association of Realtors has spent another $109,000 on lobbying and advertising campaigns largely aimed at stopping lawmakers from giving voters the opportunity to adopt a land transfer tax. The reports also show that a partnership of public officials and businesses has also spent serious money on the other side.

The Partnership for North Carolina's Future spent over $400,000 on advertising, polling and consulting, according to its latest report. A couple of the groups that are a members of the partnership, the N.C. Association of County Commissioners and greenspace advocate Land for Tomorrow have also spent $138,000 or more, according to lobbying reports. Land for Tomorrow lists a $200,000 payment to the partnership for its "publicity ad campaign," money that has yet to be spent on lobbying or advertising.

Read more after the jump.

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