Beverly Perdue has vetoed her first bill as North Carolina governor, blocking legislation that expands what requests and documents General Assembly members can keep confidential.

Perdue said Thursday House Bill 104, approved unanimously by the House and Senate last month, unnecessarily adds new restrictions on public access to legislative information.

"This bill unnecessarily adds new restrictions on public access to documents and information. It unfairly and unequally subjects state employees to criminal penalties for performing their duties," said Perdue.

"I believe strongly that everything we could make public belongs to the people. It's the public's documents and this bill hinders our commitment to transparency," Perdue adds.

The governor had until midnight to clear her desk of five remaining bills left behind by the Legislature when it adjourned in August. She had already signed more than 100 bills into law.

Perdue signed the other four bills into law Thursday. Now, she must call a special session by September 20th regarding Bill 104 unless a majority of each house signs a statement against reconvening.

North Carolina governors have vetoed 10 bills since the chief executive received the authority in 1997.