The GOP wants to stay state workers' pay.

• Position: REGIONALREPORT Statewide

Nobody enters public service to get rich. Conservatives just wish somebody would tell the state of North Carolina that. Between 2000 and 2010, state employees' average annual wage grew faster than that of private-sector workers. Brian Balfour, director of policy for the Raleigh-based John W. Pope Civitas Institute, says government expanded when times were good but did not trim staff during the decade's downturns. "They should've shown more restraint." Earlier this year, Republican Rep. John Blust of Guilford County introduced a bill to tie state employees' wage increases to population growth and inflation. It didn't make it out of committee. But as the recent budget shortfall shows, something needs to be done about the state's escalating financial commitments, Balfour says. "It's getting more and more difficult to make good on these promises."

[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

State Private Employment 180,620 3.1 million Total wages $8 billion $127 billion Average annual wage $44,544 $40,895 Growth rate 2000-'10 35.7% 32% State Private Top 2000 2010 Growth rate Camden $22,783 $39,988 75.5% Washington 21,096 34,580 63.9 Bertie 20,390 31,824: 56.1 Cumberland 26,107 37,648 44.2 Orange 32,987 47,112 42.8 Onslow 21.055 30,056 42.7 Swain 21,409 30,160 40.9 Watauga 22,482 31,616 40.6 Warren 21,696 30,368 40.0 Lee 27,223 37,648 38.3 Bottom 10 2000 2010 Growth rate Martin $27,774 $26,728 (3.8)% Transylvania 29,160 29,328 0.6 Currituck 27,905 30,888 10.7 Madison 24,230 26,884 11.0 Wilkes 26,649 30,836 15.7 Rutherford 25,409 29,588 16.4 Cabarrus 29,715 34,736 16.9 McDowell 25.555 29,952 17.2 Stokes 24,203 28,444 17.5 Northampton 24,813 29,172 17.6 2000 2010 Growth rate North Carolina $31,072 $41,132 32.4% WORKING CAPITAL WESTERN...