Perdue's pen is faster

Gov. Beverly Perdue had signed 102 bills as of Sunday, the 19th day since the legislature adjourned.

At the same point two years ago, fellow Democrat and then-Gov. Mike Easley had signed 75 bills, according to Gerry Cohen, director of legislative bill drafting.

The governor has 30 days after adjournment to sign or veto bills. If she does neither, they become law automatically.

Perdue's percentage is much better than Easley's, but she also started with a stack of bills half the size of what Easley faced at the end of the 2007 session. The legislature holds its "long sessions," which typically start in January, on odd numbered years. The "short," or even year sessions, start in the spring.

Perdue has signed 102 out of 108 bills, or 94 percent of them.

At this point in 2007, Easley had signed 75 out of 208 bills, or 36 percent.