A day after vetoing the legislature's budget plan, Gov. Bev Perdue said Monday that her decision had nothing to do with politics.

She said it reflects her belief that Republicans are abandoning the state's commitment to public education - a contention Republican leaders dispute.

In a meeting with the Observer's editorial staff and reporters, Perdue said the $19.7 billion spending proposal slashes early childhood education programs such as Smart Start and More at Four - moving the latter to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. That, she said, "makes no sense" for an academic program.

She vetoed the budget on Sunday.

"I ran for governor of North Carolina to be a part of pushing her forward, even in this hard economy," she said, "and I simply am not going to be a part of pushing her backward."

She reiterated her belief that the budget would force thousands of teacher layoffs and cuts at colleges and universities. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools had projected hundreds of teacher layoffs, but now says a $26 million infusion from the county helped forestall many of the pink slips.

Hundreds of other CMS positions - including some teaching posts - did get cut. District officials have said the Republican-authored budget contains less severe cuts than they'd feared, and that the ultimate layoff number will depend on the final state budget.

Republicans on Monday reiterated their contention that their budget provides enough money to keep every state-funded teacher and teacher assistant on the job.

Perdue called such claims "absolutely untruthful," noting that the Republican-authored budget forces local school systems to make millions in unspecified "flex" cuts.

But a spokesman for House Speaker Thom Tillis stood by the no-teacher-cuts claim. He said the legislature's budget provides virtually the same amount of money for education as Perdue's budget plan.

"We don't think politicians in Raleigh should be deciding how local (school) boards and administrators make decisions," said spokesman Jordan Shaw. "They have the money to fund every teacher and teacher assistant. Period."

The Mecklenburg Republican Party issued a statement saying the legislature's plan would spend "a mere $200 less per student" than Perdue's.

Republicans, who control both houses, have said they will override the veto with the help of five House Democrats. The Mecklenburg Republican Party's statement said a vote could come as early as today.

A new poll suggests the Republican-authored budget might be unpopular with N.C. voters.

Raleigh-based Public Policy Polling surveyed 563 voters across the state last week and found 23 percent support the budget, while 41 percent oppose it and 36 express no opinion.

The pollsters also surveyed 576 voters in Tillis' Cornelius district, finding 24 percent in favor and 41 percent opposed.

Perdue shrugged off suggestions of a political win for her.

"This to me... in all due respect, has nothing to do with partisan politics or with elections," she said. "Neither of my parents had a high school diploma. This stuff is serious to me."

She added: "This is what leaders do. They don't worry about the next election. They actually do what's best for the state."

But the Mecklenburg GOP chastised her for opposing a budget that doesn't raise taxes.

Citizens "are in the midst of a prolonged recession which means making a number of difficult choices," said county vice-chair Patricia Murray. "It's a true shame that, with this veto, Gov. Perdue has placed partisanship and big-government spending over the best interests of North Carolina."

The Associated Press and The (Raleigh) News & Observer contributed.