Nine North Carolina mayors made their case to Barack Obama's top staffers today.

As part of a group of several hundred mayors at the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Washington, the mayors heard from the president-elect's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, and adviser Valerie Jarrett and transition team adviser David Axelrod.

The group is arguing for more of the federal stimulus package to be spent on local infrastructure, such as schools, water and sewer lines and even municipal Internet access.

Gastonia Mayor Jennie Stultz said that towns and cities would be more accountable for the spending, an argument she said seemed to play well with Obama's team.

"I don't think they're going to hand out a blank check," she said. "I think you've got to show them how you're going to spend it."

The North Carolina mayors will meet with U.S. Sens. Kay Hagan and Richard Burr Monday.

Gov. Beverly Perdue met with the state's Congressional delegation in Washington this morning to discuss an economic stimulus package.

After meeting with members of President-elect Barack Obama's transition staff, Perdue talked individually with Rep. G.K. Butterfield, Rep. Mel Watt and Rep. Heath Shuler, Rep. Mike McIntyre, Rep. Sue Myrick and Sen. Richard Burr and Sen. Kay Hagan, Ryan Teague Beckwith reports.

Perdue also met with U.S. Rep. David Price, who also organized the full delegation meeting.

Wednesday was Perdue's 62nd birthday.

"This is the gift they can give me on behalf of North Carolina," Perdue said.

Perdue also held a closed-door roundtable with several members of Congress. Perdue said she is asking for federal money to start "shovel ready" projects as well as short-term support for ongoing needs in the state budget.

"I can find a billion dollars. I found it yesterday," Perdue said. "I can tell you pretty quickly where I'm going to go first to find a billion dollars of our shortfall. I can't find another billion dollars."

Perdue is not saying yet where she plans to cut from the state's $21.5 billion budget. Economists predict the shortfall caused by a national recession may be as large as $3 billion.

After her meetings are done, Perdue plans to fly back to Raleigh to have a birthday dinner with her husband, Bob Eaves.

Correction: Post inadvertently left out Price. Sorry about that.

Who will be the next treasury secretary? Who's going to be secretary of state? What about defense secretary?

Washington's favorite parlor game - Who will get the key jobs in Barack Obama's administration? - is in full swing.

Jim Morrill and Barb Barrett looked at some of the North Carolinians who might - and we stress, might - be in play for a post:

Former Gov. Jim Hunt: Could North Carolina's longtime "education governor" be considered for education secretary after stumping so hard for Obama in Eastern North Carolina?

Suzanne Reynolds: The Wake Forest University law professor lost her bid for a seat on the N.C. Supreme Court, but might she get a look for a seat on the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, one step below the U.S. Supreme Court?

U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield: The Wilson Democrat was the first member of North Carolina's delegation in the House to abandon John Edwards to support Obama. Might a federal judgeship be his reward?

Gov. Mike Easley: Easley has said he has little interest in Washington, and he initially supported Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary. But he is about to be out of work. Might the former prosecutor get a look for a Justice department post?

Reggie Love: This one would seem to be a slam-dunk. Love, the former Duke University basketball and football player, was Obama's "body man" during the campaign. Hard to imagine he won't have a post waiting for him in the White House.

Karol Mason: A lawyer who sits on the UNC-Chapel Hill board of trustees, Mason is a close friend of Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett. She was also on Obama's national finance committee. Some sort of policy post, perhaps?

Steve Lerner: The Chapel Hill venture capitalist hosted a $1,000-a-plate fundraiser for Obama way back in June 2007. Might such early support lead to an ambassadorship?

Jim Wynn: Wynn, just re-elected to his seat on the N.C. Court of Appeals, was nominated by President Clinton for the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, but was blocked by U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms. Will Obama give him another chance?

U.S. Rep. David Price: The Chapel Hill Democrat leads the powerful Appropriations subcommittee on Homeland Security, and has worked with Obama on legislation concerning private security contractors. Would he be willing to give up his seat in Congress for a spot at the Department of Homeland Security?