Gov. Bev Perdue is recommending huge budget cuts because state law requires lawmakers to balance the budget, legislators aren't willing to raise taxes, and vast numbers of unemployed and businesses aren't generating as much tax revenue as they once did.

Gov. Beverly Perdue presented a $21 billion budget proposal today that would whack more than 1,000 jobs from state government and slice $360 million from overall state spending.

Spending would be slashed across every single category of the state budget. The state Department of Correction would be hit particularly hard with a loss of 527 jobs and a budget reduced by $68 million. Universities will lose $167 million and 73 jobs.

Perdue, a Democrat in her first year as governor, told education leaders Monday that the budget would focus on education and jobs at the expense of others.

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Not only are jobs being lost or eliminated, under this budget, cigarettes will cost $1 more per pack, alcohol will cost 5-percent more, professional licenses will cost a third more and vital records — like birth certificates — will cost 60-percent more. McCain Correctional Hospital will be shuttered and several correctional facilities will, too. Meanwhile, probation officers will receive a raise.