(Editor's note: The offices of N.C. House Speaker Thom Tillis, R-Mecklenburg, and Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, issued the following press release Wednesday concerning the spending targets for the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. Republicans have proposed spending plans for next year's budget that amount to $17.56 billion, which is $1.4 billion less than what Gov. Bev Perdue has suggested.)

“The spending targets announced today come at a time when decisive action is required to put North Carolina’s fiscal house in order,” said Speaker Tillis. “The new majority in the General Assembly did not create this budget shortfall, but we were elected to fix it. To do so, we have announced aggressive targets to reign in state spending, which has ballooned over the last decade. Everything is on the table as we look for creative solutions to this problem.”

“No decisions have been made.  No specific positions or programs have been targeted,” said Senator Berger. “We were elected to reduce spending and right-size state government.  This is the first step in that process.”

For a complete list of the proposed cuts, click here.