Triangulator

The proposed GOP House budget doesn't so much cut as it legislates, slicing up programs, moving things around, challenging executive branch powers and starting the general remake of state government Republicans promised last November.

The House's response to Gov. Bev Perdue's budget proposal, scheduled for a vote this week, would mean no more teachers assistants in second and third grades. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources would become more "business friendly," which you can read more about here.

Planned Parenthood? Banned by name, in capital letters, from any state funding, or federal funding that runs through the state.

You'd pay 3/4 of a penny less sales tax if the House gets it's way, and the governor doesn't. There's a package of other tax cuts coming, likely for small businesses, and maybe for corporate and personal income tax filers. But the details haven't been announced yet.

Beyond the tax cuts, there are tax shifts, by a number of names. There are new user fees, including about $90 million in new court fees. Foreclosures would cost twice as much. Taking the GED once would cost $25, instead of $7.50. Taking it a second time would cost $25 again, instead of being free.

North Carolina's we're-a-little-better-than-y'all reputation for higher education would take a hit, with $217 million less for universities than the governor requested. Community college tuition would go up $10 a credit hour.

Now, here's the thing: This budget is not going to pass ... probably. But we'll get to that in a moment.