Gov. Beverly Perdue said the early news on the April 15 tax returns is that the state revenue picture is better than expected.
After being briefed this morning by budget director Charles Perusse, Perdue said she was told that sales tax revenues for the last quarter are "fairly good" or "not as bad as it could have been," Rob Christensen reports.
But the governor said the tax returns have not yet been fully calculated so it is difficult to get the full picture.
"I believe by Friday I will have a handle on the numbers and by Tuesday or Wednesday we can give you the numbers," Perdue told reporters after speaking to a luncheon of the state chapter of the National Federation of Independent Businesses at the Raleigh Marriott City Center.
The state is facing a $2 billion budget shortfall for the fiscal year ending June 30th and a $3 billion to $4 billion shortfall for the year beginning July 1.
The governor said she was confident the state could pay its bills and meet its payroll.




Re: Perdue: Revenue better than thought
Typical Republican. How many times did you vote for George Bush?? Hello... From surplus to financial disaster. How did Republican leadership turnout- for this country? You arm chair Republicans always have a complaint and nothing to offer. Maybe you'd like to change North Carolina's financial status with Republican led states such as South Carolina? I'll take my chances with the sound leadership which has made North Carolina one of the strongest state profiles in the face of tough economic times.