(RALEIGH) -- Governor Bev Perdue's veto of the Republican-backed budget proposal and the subsequent override made for a landmark moment in state politics this past week.

Brad Crone of Campaign Connections said this session of the General Assembly may forever change the governor's role in state government. "Historically, the power of the state has rested with the legislature. And clearly, what we're seeing is that the legislature has put a mandate out there, has been able to override the governor, and the relevance of the governor and the leadership of the governor is a real big question mark right now," he said. "And that sets up the stage going into campaign 2012."

While the five Democrats that opted to side with Republicans on the budget may be the target of scrutiny by some, Crone says fellow Democrats can't take punitive action against them because they will need them for upcoming votes on social issues.