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Two of the state's power players assess the legacy of former Gov. Mike Easley in the wake of his guilty plea to a Class I felony for violating campaign finance law. Dana Cope, executive director of SEANC and Francis DeLuca, president of the Civitas Institute, join host Donna Martinez and offer their views on the Easley plea deal, North Carolina's ethics and campaign finance laws, and Easley's future. Then Cope and DeLuca discuss Gov. Perdue's political future in light of a new GOP-led General Assembly, the prospect of state employee furloughs and layoffs, and other possible budget cuts as a $4 billion budget hole looms.

That's followed by a look at how an Arizona case that will be heard by the U.S. Supreme Court could impact North Carolina's system of taxpayer financing of some statewide election campaigns. Daren Bakst of the John Locke Foundation joins Martinez to explain the case.

Then Rick Martinez, news director of stategovernmentradio.com, the North Carolina News Network, and NewsRadio 680 WPTF in Raleigh provides an update on the still unsettled "instant" runoff race for a seat on the state Court of Appeals, as well a several recent legislative appointments.

And finally, Donna Martinez updates state and national political stories.