While most now support Obama's candidacy, they traveled different paths to get there. A Congressman, a state legislator and a delegate highlight how expectations of black people may depend on when they grew up.

Many older people were initially cautious, skeptical that the country was ready. For many younger blacks, Obama represented a generation more optimistic about the possibility of biracial politics.

Veteran North Carolina black leaders such as U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield and U.S. Rep. Mel Watt of Charlotte initially endorsed former Sen. John Edwards. Younger blacks, such as state Rep. Ty Harrell of Raleigh and Sidney Echevarria, a Bank of America worker from Belmont, were more likely to sign on early with Obama. (N&O)

State Rep. Ty Harrell says he's proudest of the budget.

"The big thing for me is that we took the governor's budget request, did the necessary trimming and gave him a good product to endorse," he said.

The Raleigh Democrat said he was disappointed that the legislature was not able to tackle more of "the big issues" such as health care, which he blamed on the "finite amount of time" in the biannual short sessions.

"We just don't seem to have enough time to hammer those out," he said.  

More than 200 state employees rallied Tuesday for higher pay raises than are in the legislative budget proposals.

State employees are pushing for 3 percent raises, or $1,100, which ever is more, plus one time $1,000 bonuses, Lynn Bonner reports.

The budget proposal has 2.75 percent or $1,100 raises for state employees.

The higher base pay raises would cost an additional $8 million over what's budgeted, according to State Employees Association of North Carolina executive director Dana Cope, and the bonuses would cost between $20 million and $25 million.

The 3 percent raises would bring state employees' raises in line with those proposed for teachers.

"Why do we want to split off teachers and state employees?" Cope asked.

More after the jump.

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Barack Obama will give a speech on the economy at the N.C. State Fairgrounds today.

Dome is at the event, where doors opened about a half hour ago.

So far, we've spotted a few of the usual suspects: U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, state Sen. Floyd McKissick, state Reps. Dan Blue and Ty Harrell, former lieutenant governor candidate Hampton Dellinger, former Raleigh City Councilman Brad Thompson and Capstrat founder Ken Eudy.

The campaign of Sen. Janet Cowell, who is running for state treasurer and lives nearby, is handing out fliers at the front of the Exposition Center building.

Update: Also in the crowd: Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, House Speaker Joe Hackney, Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand, superdelegate David Parker, former state Auditor Ralph Campbell, state Reps. Linda Coleman and Jennifer Weiss, and Raleigh businessman John Crumpler.

State Treasurer Richard Moore just wandered through the press section by mistake and Dome asked what he was doing in our less illustrious section of the room.

"I don't know, but I'm going to do my best to get out of here," he said. 

Those 5 percent pay raises the state lottery commission recently approved for staff may soon be reduced.

The state House today adopted an amendment to its budget proposal that would require lottery staff be treated the same as other state employees with regard to pay raises, reports Dan Kane. The vote was 116-0.

If the amendment, offered by Rep. Ty Harrell, a Raleigh Democrat, becomes part of the final budget, lottery staff will likely see their raises decrease.

The House has proposed an increase of 2.75 percent or $1,100, which ever is greater. Easley has proposed a 1.5 percent pay increase, a $1,000 one-time bonus and an additional week off with pay.

State Rep. Ty Harrell is focused on roads.

The Raleigh Democrat said he will be focused on finding a way to connect Interstate 540 to Western Wake County, estimated to cost approximately $12 to $18 million.

Harrell said he does not want to see the extension built with a toll road, but he also wants to make sure the highway is extended soon. Under current plans, the completion date for the road is 2032.

"Western Wake County deserves to be able to use 540," he said.

Harrell said he would also work to reduce or end the transfer of money from the state Highway Trust Fund to the general fund, so that more of that money could be spent on roads.

They are the N.C. Truth Squad.

Their mission? To "make sure that the truth is shared with North Carolinians."

Their outfits? Capes, with a large purple "T" and a lightening bolt.

Okay, we made that last one up.

But it is true that Barack Obama announced today the creation of a N.C. Truth Squad whose job it is, according to Obama state director Craig Schirmer, is to "make sure that the truth is shared with North Carolinians."

Of course, that would be the truth as seen from the Obama camp. The squad is supposed to set the record straight on the candidate's records and, according to Schirmer, respond to "misleading messages from any corner - especialliy those that the Clinton campaign has tried here in North Carolina and in other states."

So, who are the members of the N.C. Truth Squad?

They are: U.S. Reps. David Price, Mel Watt and G.K. Butterfield, former state House Speaker Dan Blue and state Reps. Pricey Harrison and Ty Harrell.

Who's in the crowd at Barack Obama's Raleigh event?

Several big-name North Carolina legislators, judges and candidates are at the Kerr Scott Building to hear Obama speak.

Hampton Dellinger, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, is sitting with his father, former U.S. Solicitor General Walter Dellinger.

Other notables include U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield, who has campaigned for Obama, Reps. Dan Blue and Ty Harrell, former state Auditor Ralph Campbell, Wake County Commissioner Harold Webb, former N.C. Supreme Court Justice Willis Whichard, state appeals court judge Jim Wynn and former UNC Board of Governors Chairman Brad Wilson.

Rep. Tricia Cotham is the chair of the "Under-40 Caucus."

The Charlotte Democrat, who is the youngest member of the General Assembly, said at a luncheon at the Young Democrats convention today that she heads the mock caucus, which is 10 members strong.

She then introduced state Rep. Ty Harrell, a Raleigh Democrat whom she called one of the group's "superstars." 

"Unfortunately, I have aged out of the under-40 caucus," he joked, noting that he even has a few gray hairs. 

Guess that makes the caucus something like Menudo. 

About 200 college students and twentysomethings are expected at today's Young Democrats convention.

The annual convention has attracted more attention this year because of the added importance of the state's May 6 presidential primary.

Among the speakers today: Former First Daughter Chelsea Clinton, former U.S. Sen. John Edwards, state House Speaker Joe Hackney, CNN commentator James Carville, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, state party chairman Jerry Meek, and state reps. Tricia Cotham and Ty Harrell.

Clinton is here as a surrogate for her mother; Booker, for Barack Obama. 

The definition of "young" is a little fluid, since it includes anyone up to the age of 35. (That's basically anyone not yet qualified to run for president.)

The event is being held at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Research Triangle Park.