Short session, long-term goals

The short session is often about little more than the budget.

But as lawmakers returning to Raleigh Tuesday, they'll have a lot of long-term goals on their plate, including widespread problems with the state's probation system and mental health care and calls for better protection for poultry workers.

There are also demands for more roads and a push to raise teachers' pay to the U.S. average.

"We do have a lot of competing needs and a lot of competing expectations," said House Speaker Joe Hackney.

Hackney is pushing grants to help reduce the state's high school dropout rate. Senate leader Marc Basnight wants to put a bond before voters to provide hundreds of millions of dollars for new roads and buildings in the UNC system.

And Gov. Mike Easley wants to expand Learn and Earn, which allows high schoolers to get an associate's degree. (N&O)