Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue is dampening some expectations in her first year as North Carolina governor, including plans to offer free community college tuition.

Perdue said Wednesday she knows the state's bad fiscal shape means her campaign promise of free tuition at community colleges won't be implemented this year. But she hopes there will be money
to expand outgoing Gov. Mike Easley's college affordability program
for students from low-income families.

Perdue also said she may never get all she wants from the General Assembly when it comes to a government efficiency panel she plans to name. The governor-elect has said she wants to require lawmakers to vote yes or no on the panel's recommendations.

Perdue takes over Easley's job with Saturday's inauguration.