News-Record.com

There's huge fanfare over President Barack Obama's 100th day in office.

He's incredibly popular, drawing applause for a flurry of big initiatives.

Not so much for North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue, whose 100th day in office passed without any celebrations last week.

Perdue's been active and visible, presenting a striking contrast to her reclusive predecessor, Mike Easley. But she's not receiving many cheers for her work, which in some important ways is much tougher than Obama's.

Today's headline offers an example why: "Perdue mandates furlough for state workers."

Our print edition headline was even more sour: "Furloughs leave a bad taste."

But what choice does the governor have? She's required by the state constitution to make sure the budget is balanced. She can't unilaterally raise taxes, but she can -- she must -- cut spending as necessary.

President Obama acts under no such constraints. With the willing support of Congress, he can spend money as if there's no limit to it. Despite the poor economy, high unemployment rate and pay cuts for other Americans lucky enough to have jobs, there's been no talk of laying off, furloughing or cutting the pay of any federal government employees. But there are plenty of proposals for new and more expensive federal programs -- welcome news to many Americans who believe federal spending is going to solve their problems and the country's. We can hope it does, but sooner or later there will be a day of reckoning. It's just not going to be the 100th day for President Obama.

For a governor like Bev Perdue, however, serious budget constraints demand accountability every day.