BRAC

The Budget Reform and Accountability Commission, charged by Gov. Beverly Perdue with rooting out wasteful spending in state government, met for the first time Tuesday. Perdue told the panel that the state's fragile fiscal picture will continue for the near future, requiring additional ways to make government leaner and to eliminate outdated programs. Perdue, already has ordered holding back 5 percent of money that's supposed to go to state agencies from a $19 billion budget she signed less than three weeks ago. "The state is going to face another challenge this time next year," Perdue told the commission. "I need for you all to help me find some resources that we can deploy in a more efficient and effective way."