Ross is Asia-bound

Rep. Deborah Ross is off to China and India next week.

The trip is part of the prestigious Rodel Fellowship from the Aspen Institute, which the Raleigh Democrat received in 2006. The fellowship brings together a bipartisan group of elected officials younger than 50 from across the country.

To go on the trip, Ross will be passing up one of the biggest weeks at the legislature, which could see a vote on the state's budget.

Ross said the trip was planned more than six months ago, and that it was an opportunity she couldn't miss.

"We all thought we'd be out of here weeks ago," Ross said. "I don't feel good about it. I take my responsibilities as a legislator very seriously."

Ross said she was encouraged by House Speaker Joe Hackney to take the trip, which she passed up twice before because of conflicts with the legislature's schedule.

Ross said she asked to forgo compensation for her work as a legislator while she is away.

More after the jump.

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While the group will see major tourist sites like the Great Wall of China, Ross said it will be mostly business, as the group is meeting with several Chinese and Indian government officials and academics over the course of the week.

Ross' group includes several rising political stars, including several people running for governor. One member of the group, Alaska's former Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell, had to pass up the trip, since he recently became the state's governor with Sarah Palin's resignation.