Victims of a eugenics program in NorthCarolina from 1929 to 1974 were potentially going to receive compensation, up to$50,000 each, but state senators recently rejected the plan. Some claim the budgetsimply can't afford the estimated cost of $10million in a challenging economy.

CNN's Elizabeth Cohen looked into what is included in the $20 billion budget bill. She foundthere's more than $1 million going to organizations like a private culinary school, anOyster Sanctuary, the Grape Growers Council and the Transportation museum. There was more than $400,000 set aside to fund anupcoming gubernatorial inauguration and $5 million wasbudgeted for undisclosed purposes that can only be described as "economicdevelopment" projects.

Cohen says some lawmakers in N.C. are wary of offeringcompensation to sterilization survivors because it could set an expensive precedent for others who feel they've been treated unjustly by the state.Opponentsdraw parallels between the compensation of sterilization victims andthat of the descendents of slaves.

Legislators who supportpayment to eugenics victimspledged to continue to work toward justice for them.

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Forced sterilization compensation denied