According to state economists, North Carolina will face another budget deficit in FY 2001-02 of between $450 million and $900 million. The state’s economy, weighted down by high taxes and poor public services, continues to lag behind the rest of the country. Unlike last year, policymakers cannot exempt such big-ticket items as Floyd relief, tobacco-settlement funds, universities, Medicaid, and bonds from scrutiny – and they should consider repealing last year’s tax hikes.