New governor and nine other high-ranking elected officials to take ... - Winston-Salem Journal
10.01.09
By James Romoser
JOURNAL RALEIGH BUREAU
Published: January 10, 2009
RALEIGH
Two months after an election focused on change, a new team of state leaders is taking office today.
The festive run-up to today's inauguration in downtown Raleigh has focused on Bev Perdue, who will be North Carolina's first female governor, but nine other top elected officials will also be sworn in today.
The group is a mix of fresh faces and incumbents who were re-elected. But with the state facing a major budget deficit and its highest unemployment rate in 25 years, they all face a web of new challenges.
"We intend to hit the ground running," said Walter Dalton, the incoming lieutenant governor.
Perdue and the nine other elected officials taking the oath of office today are collectively known as the Council of State. Each member of the council is elected statewide and runs a department in state government. As a group, the council meets once a month to approve some state policies and state spending.
Source: Winston-Salem Journal, NC