GOV. EASLEY ANNOUNCES PLAN TO SAVE 20,000 HOMES FROM FORECLOSURE

RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today called on the General Assembly to give quick approval to legislation that will help thousands of homeowners with exploitive subprime mortgages avoid foreclosure.  The legislation requires that borrowers receive at least 45 days notice before foreclosure proceedings are started and directs the state Banking Commissioner to work with individual borrowers and their lenders to find ways to save their homes. “Many subprime borrowers were placed into loans in which interest rates increased, and which they simply could not afford,” Easley said.  “This legislation will do something no other state has done; bring the expertise of the state government to help borrowers find a way to save ...

GOV. EASLEY MARKS 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF PUBLIC SCHOOL INTEGRATION IN N.C.

RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today honored seven surviving former students and a school administrator who helped open the doors for all North Carolinians to attend the same schools 50 years ago.  The honorees attended a reception at the Executive Mansion commemorating the 50th anniversary of the integration of public schools in North Carolina. “It took determination and courage for these individuals to do what was right during a turbulent time in history and in the face of tremendous adversity,” said Easley.  “What could have been just another hot September school day was so much more for these children.  They had a date with destiny and today we honor their ...

GOV. EASLEY APPEARS ON “EXPLORING NORTH CAROLINA”

What makes a child explore, grow and blossom? When and where do they learn to take chances? Have they learned to fear the wrong things? Have we taught them to feel safer in gated communities and lighted shopping malls?  Gov. Mike Easley recently appeared on UNC-TV's "Exploring North Carolina" as the show examined American children's need to spend more time in nature.  Click here to watch the episode, titled "Logos vs. Leaves."

GOV. EASLEY PROCLAIMS MOUNTAINEER FOOTBALL DAY

RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today welcomed the Appalachian State University football team to the Executive Mansion and proclaimed the day “Mountaineer Football Day” in honor of the team’s 3rd consecutive NCAA national championship. “Appalachian State’s commitment and determination have created a football dynasty in North Carolina,” said Easley. “I congratulate the team on its 3rd NCAA championship title and look forward to cheering on the Mountaineers again this fall.” On Dec. 14, 2007, ASU defeated the University of Delaware Fighting Blue Hens 49-21 to capture the 2007 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) in Chattanooga, Tenn.  It was the culmination of a season that included a spectacular ...

GOV. EASLEY ANNOUNCES 1,000 JOBS AT GLOBAL TRANSPARK

RALEIGH - Gov. Mike Easley announced today that Spirit AeroSystems Inc., the world’s largest independent supplier of commercial airplane assemblies and components, will open a manufacturing plant at the N.C. Global TransPark in Kinston. Plans call for investment of more than $570.5 million and the creation of 1,031 jobs during the next six years. State grants from the One North Carolina Fund and Job Development Investment Grant program and a grant from the non-profit Golden LEAF Foundation to the Global TransPark Authority helped make the project possible.    ''The Global TransPark was built to help this region make the transition from a tobacco-dependent economy to one that attracts knowledge-based, high-tech industries,'' said Easley. ''Today’s announcement not only shows that eastern North Carolina ...

GOV. EASLEY ANNOUNCES BUDGET THAT BUILDS ON EDUCATION PROGRESS

Raleigh - Gov. Mike Easley today released his recommended budget adjustments for the 2008-09 fiscal year that provides $12.5 billion for education, improves the state’s ability to compete for jobs in the global economy, increases funding for mental health services, expands oversight of prison parolees, and helps communities better plan to deal with droughts.    The budget also better prepares the state to deal with the uncertain economy by expanding the Rainy Day Fund to $848 million. Unlike most states that are facing shortfalls, North Carolina will end the current fiscal year with a $152 million surplus. The budget also includes $396 million in general fund budget cuts, nearly 2 percent of the total operating budget.   ''As I release the 2008-09 budget proposal, ...

GOV. EASLEY ANNOUNCES GROUNDBREAKING HEALTH CARE INITIATIVE

New Program Will Improve Basic Patient Care And Save Millions of Dollars

RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today announced a plan to fundamentally restructure the delivery of health care in North Carolina by standardizing the level of care and insurance coverage for the five most chronic conditions.  This unique plan will do more than any other in the nation to improve citizens’ health, help doctors deliver the quality care they strive for and save hundreds of millions of dollars in medical costs. “This is going to be a revolutionary approach to the delivery of health care in North Carolina,” Easley said. “We have worked with the top medical experts across the state, health insurers and physicians to design a health care delivery system that ...

Gov. Easley Featured in New Drought PSA

Click here to watch Gov. Easley's new water conservation PSA.

Gov. Easley Announces Legislative Plan to Modernize Water Systems, Mandate Conservation and Upgrade Emergency Response

Unveils SaveWaterNC.org Website to Raise Public Awareness on Drought

Raleigh- Gov. Mike Easley today announced a three-part legislative package to modernize North Carolina’s public water systems, mandate water conservation and efficiency, and upgrade the response to water emergencies. The governor also unveiled a new website, SaveWaterNC.org, aimed at continued water conservation.    ''This legislation will help North Carolina's public water systems improve their services to customers and be better prepared to deal with future droughts, but we also need to change our attitude about using water in North Carolina,'' said Easley. ''We can not let up on our conservation efforts and that is why today I am announcing a public awareness effort to encourage citizens to save as much water as possible ...

Gov. Easley Speaks at 2008 Emerging Issues Forum

Watch footage of Gov. Mike Easley's address to the 2008 Emerging Issues Forum here.  Gov. Easley announced the creation of the Advanced Transportation Energy Center at North Carolina State University during the 2008 Emerging Issues Forum: "North Carolina's Energy Futures; Realizing a State of Opportunity".  The Center will serve as a catalyst to attract innovative jobs to the state, contribute to reducing the nation’s dependence on imported oil and cut greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global climate change.