It's the Zapruder film of hugs.

A brief snippet of video from UNC-TV has been watched by political observers around North Carolina today who want to know if Gov. Beverly Perdue snubbed Superintendent June Atkinson on Monday.

Perdue and Atkinson have been engaged in a battle royale of late over which of them should have control over state education.

So when Perdue made her way to the podium in the House chamber to give her biennial State of the State address to the legislature, her behavior toward Atkinson was watched.

As seen in the video, Perdue shook hands and hugged several state politicians, including Rep. Garland Pierce, Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and state Auditor Beth Wood.

But between Marshall and Wood, she bypassed Atkinson, who was standing less than two feet away.

Was it intentional, or just an oversight in a busy evening? Watch the video for yourself and decide.

June Atkinson is airing her displeasure.

In a congratulatory statement to new State Board of Education chairman Bill Harrison, the schools superintendent again repeated her belief that he is treading on her turf.

"I believe this action violates the Constitution of North Carolina and usurps the will of the voters who granted me the privilege to serve as State Superintendent of Public Instruction," she said in a statement.

She went on to repeat her belief that the legislature should resolve the tug-of-war between the positions of governor and superintendent on education, adding that it may end up being resolved in court.

"I will not abdicate my constitutional and statutory responsibilities," she said.

After the jump, the full statement.

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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 Democratic firm Public Policy Polling show significant agreement on a number of issues that are before the legislature.

Below, the percentage who agreed with a sentiment:

75: Illegal immigrants should not be allowed to attend state colleges and universities.

74: Illegal immigrants should not be allowed to attend community college.

69: Parents should have the choice of abstinence-only or comprehensive sex ed.

65: Schools superintendent and state commissioners should be elected, not appointed. 

64: Smoking should be banned in restaurants and public places.

The automated polls of North Carolina voters were conducted in January and February. The margins of error were around 3 percentage points.

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.

* WUNC reporter Laura Leslie defends N&O ombudsman taking job at state agency, arguing that he's an "excellent communicator" in a tough industry.

* Schools Superintendent June Atkinson tells Fayetteville Observer she has no plans to sue the state over her job description.

* Conservative activist Francis De Luca argues that Rev. William Barber of the state chapter of the NAACP should have to register as a lobbyist.

* The president of the state Bankers Association is pushing to rename Raleigh-Durham International Airport after the Wright Brothers.

* U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler could face trouble in a Senate primary over his vote on the stimulus and his views on abortion, some say.

* Gov. Beverly Perdue says the final stimulus package leaves the state about $150 million short of covering its $2 billion shortfall.

* Independent Weekly's Fiona Morgan wonders what it says when an ombudsman takes a job with "one of the most egregiously mismanaged and obfuscating agencies."

* Democratic firm Public Policy Polling finds 65 percent of those surveyed want to keep the schools superintendent an elected post.

The first salvo has been fired in the superintendent fight.

Rep. Leo Daughtry, a Smithfield Republican, filed a bill today that would call for the state schools superintendent to be appointed by the governor.

The proposed constitutional amendment would have to be put to a statewide vote, which Daughtry proposes for the Nov. 3, 2010 ballot.

If the amendment passed, there would be no superintendent election in 2012, when June Atkinson's current term ends.

"I think we need to have a debate on the issue," he said. "From my experience, I've always heard that the governor runs as the education governor. We really need to go ahead and decide how we're going to handle this awkward issue."

He said he was not concerned that the move would strengthen Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue. Instead, he argued it would make Perdue and her successors more accountable.

Daughtry said he does not know what the bill's chances are in the House, but he hoped to spark a debate about this option.

Previously: Atkinson calls for legislature to resolve dispute

Schools Superintendent June Atkinson is asking lawmakers to give her authority over education.

In a letter to legislative leaders sent today, the two-term Democrat noted Gov. Beverly Perdue's recent decision to consolidate power under the chairman of the State Board of Education, saying it as part of a long trend toward reducing the role of her office:

Every State Superintendent since 1995 has coped with the confusion caused by the current governance structure. It seems logical that an elected official would be able to select, organize and run his or her state agency. You can rest assured that the over 2.1 million voters who voted for me think I have the authority to run the Department. To think otherwise would discount the voter.

She asked legislators either "restore authority" to her position, give Perdue "total authority" or hold a constitutional referendum on the issue.

"North Carolina deserves your final decision," she wrote.

The full text of the letter after the jump.

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