For the past few years, the state has given the High Point Furniture Market more than $1 million to help promote itself and compete with that upstart market in Las Vegas.

But because of bad economic times, the commerce department offered the line item as one that could be cut in the budget that takes over July 1.

So, will Gov. Bev Perdue recommend such a slice? She wasn’t saying one way or the other but laid some loving on the market.

“I mean with Vegas trying to come in and take some ground from North Carolina we really must stay committed to the show itself and the market it opens up globally for North Carolina,” Perdue said.

That said, Perdue added that all budget items “were on the table” as potential cuts and she could not commit to what might happen with the market one way or the other.

“My heart’s in the right place, I just don’t know that the state’s pocketbook is in the right place,” she said.

Whistling his way out

Wondering what Mitchell Johnson was whistling as the City Hall elevator doors closed on him Tuesday night, moments after his dismissal as city manager?

(If you don’t get the reference, you should watch Jerry Wolford’s video.)

Scoop hears it was “New York, New York,” one of those songs Johnson gets stuck in his head.

The lyrics are interesting, in context.

“Start spreading the news, I’m leaving today …

“These little town blues, are melting away.

“I’ll make a brand new start of it …

More on Johnson’s dismissal

What was left in Scoop’s notebook about Johnson’s departure:

Councilman Mike Barber: “We are in a time like we have never been in before. It is a great opportunity for leadership to rise to the top.”

Councilwoman T. Dianne Bellamy-Small: “Relieving him of his duty was not based on his job performance or his efficiency. … He looked at what he was given and made the right decisions.”

Mayor Yvonne Johnson: “I don’t have any hesitation about doing anything that I feel is necessary and warranted. But this wasn’t, to me.”

Councilwoman Mary Rakestraw: “This has just been a sad situation in that City Council seemed to be happy letting someone else tell them what to do when and where and how.”

Councilwoman Goldie Wells: “He is a man of integrity and he is tremendously intelligent. He had been loyal to these councils he has worked for. He has been willing to listen.”

Former police Chief David Wray, in a statement sent via his attorney: “Getting fired from your job is rough. I hope the city treats Mitch better than they treated me.”

Public financing lobbying

Two Greensboro men made the trip to Raleigh last week to lobby on behalf of a bill that would allow cities to publicly fund local elections. Under the change, candidates could volunteer to accept tax money to fund their campaign in exchange for accepting strict spending limits.

Nick Divitci, who has worked on a number of local campaigns, and Eric Eno, who lives in Lindley Park, were on hand to talk to legislators, and Divitci gave his 2 cents to the House Elections Law and Campaign Finance Reform committee.

“This bill is going to be very helpful to us because we would like to see our public officials more responsive to the public in general rather than special interests,” Divitci told the committee.

Divitci and Eno told Scoop they were concerned about the influence of developers and Realtors on the council.

Speaking of developers, Jessica Hayes, a lobbyist for the N.C. Home Builders Association, spoke against the bill during its committee hearing. She said if it passed, her members’ participation through their political action committee would be curtailed and that the current system is fair to everyone.

“There is a finite amount of money we can contribute to each candidate,” she said.

The bill has one more committee to visit before it hits the House floor.

Staff writers Mark Binker and Amanda Lehmert contributed.