North Carolina Democrats find themselves in negative territory as the new legislative session nears – an even smaller minority in both chambers following the 2012 election. State Rep. Deborah Ross (D-Wake County) discusses the Democrats’ challenge, as well as the Republican Party’s previous legislation with which she disagrees, in comments made to Barlow Herget of SGRToday.com. Then host Donna Martinez talks with Congressman-Elect Richard Hudson of the 8th district about his priorities once he’s sworn in next January. Hudson, a Republican who defeated Democratic incumbent Larry Kissell for the seat, explains his view on the “fiscal cliff” and talks about the need, and his desire, to find ways to work with Democrats including those in North Carolina’s delegation. Next is analysis of Gov. Beverly Perdue’s actions in the final several weeks of her administration. She has angered Republicans, most notably Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham), over her move to lease the Dorothea Dix hospital property to the City of Raleigh despite the objections of Republicans, and over her move to rescind her own executive order that lays out the process for judicial replacements. Republicans say Perdue is taking the action so she can appoint a Democrat to the Supreme Court to replace retiring Justice Patricia Timmons-Goodson. Rick Martinez of NewsRadio680 WPTF in Raleigh and NCN News, joins Donna Martinez for the discussion. The two also talk about the plight of Rep. Walter Jones, who lost his seat on the House Financial Services Committee following his failure to support House Speaker John Boehner in key votes. Conversely, Rep. Renee Ellmers received a key appointment to the House Energy and Commerce committee and appears headed for an even more visible position among Republicans. That’s followed by a look at the legal settlement between NC State University and former First Lady Mary Easley. Rick Henderson of Carolina Journal assesses the deal with Donna Martinez – a deal which greatly increases Mrs. Easley’s state pension. And finally, CBS News Correspondent Pam Coulter reports on polling results that shows Americans’ views on the fiscal cliff negotiations in Washington D.C.