A television ad appearing in the state this week urges state residents to support President Barack Obama's health care plan.

Specifically, the ad, run by Healthcare for America Now, urges state residents to call their senators about the issue.

"We want to remind our Senators as they are hard at work in Washington that we need more choice,” said Lynice R. Williams, Executive Director, N.C. Fair Share, which is affiliated with Health Care for America Now.

A coalition of labor and anti-poverty groups criticized the state budget discussions today.

Led by the N.C. Justice Center, more than 40 groups argued that the state should not repeal the "temporary taxes" or use certificates of participation for debt.

At the same time, they said the state should create an earned income tax credit and fund the N.C. Kids' Care program.

The coalition includes ACORN, the N.C. AFL-CIO and the N.C. Association of Educators as well as the the N.C. Housing Coalition, N.C. Fair Share and Working Families Win, among others.

Bill Rowe, head of the N.C. Justice Center, described its proposal as a "can-do budget."