The General Assembly reconvened this week for its so-called “short session,” designed primarily to adjust the $20 billion state operating budget. Gov. Mike Easley wants to boost that budget by about $1 billion, an idea that drew a response from John Locke Foundation Fiscal Policy Analyst Joseph Coletti. Coletti shared his thoughts about the governor’s budget with the WPTF Radio morning show Wednesday. JLF President John Hood offered his predictions for the 2008 legislative session to the Associated Press. Media outlets including WRAL Television picked up the AP report. (Lawmakers are likely to spend more money this year on the Global TransPark in Kinston, and Hood explained his concerns about that project to the Raleigh News & Observer.) The new legislative session also means more speaking engagements for Vice President of Outreach Becki Gray. She addressed an American for Prosperity group in Wilmington Thursday night and also spoke to the Orange County Republican Women’s Club.