Together NC, a coalition of 120 groups across the state, has sent a letter to North Carolina Gov. Beverly Perdue asking her to a avoid a cuts-only approach to closing the budget gap that would result in significant job losses.

“[T]aking a cuts-only approach to the state budget—should simply not be an option.  Such an approach will decimate the public investments we’ve spent decades building and cripple our state’s recovery,” the group said on a statement.

Rob Thompson, executive director of the Covenant With North Carolina’s Children and a coalition co-coordinator, said in a press release, “In our last budget crisis, Gov. Perdue showed leadership that helped us avoid the worst impacts of the recession. Today more than ever, we need the governor to stand up for North Carolina to preserve our state’s future.”

The group also wants Perdue to update the state’s revenue system written in the 1930s, when the state was dependent on agriculture and textiles as drivers of the economy.

The Together NC website also details what possible cuts could look like:

•    1,000 teachers laid off at our community colleges, the effect of eliminating 100,000 class registrations and a $10 per hour tuition increase.  Community college tuition rates were increased in both the 2009 and 2010 budgets passed, $8/hour and $6.50/hour respectively.

•    Closure of four state parks and additionally closing most of the remaining state parks on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

•    Firing more than 5,000 teachers and 13,000 teacher assistants in NC’s public schools.  Under both a 5% and 10% cut scenario, class sizes would likely be increased by an average of at least three students in every grade.

•    Massive cuts to community health services and Smart Start, NC’s nationally-recognized early childhood education program.