The state is losing about $5 million every day that the General Assembly does not pass a budget, Governor Bev Perdue said at a press conference Wednesday.

"The General Assembly has got to act," Perdue said. "Every day, without the positions that we've earmarked for reductions and without the revenues that is before the General Assembly, we're losing millions of dollars."

The governor signed into law a temporary spending plan to avoid a government shutdown Tuesday night. The continuing resolution gives lawmakers until July 15th to hammer out a budget and tax plan. Government agencies are expected to operate under 15% reductions.

"I do believe we will be able to pay the bills, but I can only say that for the next 14 days," Perdue said. "I need the General Assembly to step up and come to a consensus on a budget."

The governor supports a combination of budget cuts and tax increases. She hopes to protect education, community colleges, and the university system. And she has proposed more taxes on tobacco and alcohol.

Perdue said Wednesday she would accept a short-term solution to the state's budget problems..

"We must have overall tax reform," she said. "That has not happened. I think that you've got to do something and then roll that baby out sometime in 2010, 2011."

The governor also said if the General Assembly passes a budget soon, she does not expect any more furloughs for state employees this calendar year.