Taking chances: Mike Easley plays up the lottery and what else he has done--and wants to do--for economic development.

PositionECONOMIC OUTLOOK

Last year, the first year of Gov. Mike Easley's second term, the General Assembly passed a state lottery, a key plank in the platform he first ran on in 2000. What effect will it have on the Tar Heel economy when it begins later this year? That's one of the questions Senior Editor Frank Maley posed to the Rocky Mount Democrat as 2005 came to a close. Here's an edited transcript of his answers.

BNC: If you were writing a history of your time as governor, what would the squib on the back cover say?

EASLEY: The true measure of success is not making progress in good times. The true measure of success is making progress in tough times. North Carolina has flourished despite the many challenges it has faced, including everything from budget shortfalls and 9/11 to natural disasters such as ice storms, hurricanes and drought. The state is stronger because of leaders who remained committed to fiscal discipline, to investing in knowledge and innovation and to building one North Carolina that provides educational and economic opportunity to every citizen regardless of where they live.

You've fussed with Democrats as well as Republicans and are our first governor to use the veto.

There is always going to be some tension and conflict between the executive and legislative branches when the state is facing tough budgetary times. And that is true even when the same party is in formal control of both branches. On my very first day in office, I had to take control of the budget because the state was in an emergency shortfall situation. The budget was no longer a static document crafted by the legislature but a dynamic process managed by the executive branch. We also have faced court cases, like the Leandro education case, mandating state action even if the legislature has not acted. Tension and conflict have been unavoidable, but I am still proud of all the progress we have made with the legislature on education while getting spending under control and fixing our economic engine. At the end of the day, the people were the winners, and that soothes all the hard feelings.

Are you hoping to shed the "crisis governor" tag your second term?

People call me many things. "Crisis governor" is among the kindest. I believe that with the fiscal discipline we have instilled over the past five years we will be able to avoid any budget crises in the second term, but I cannot speak for natural disasters. We will continue to be prepared for any storm that may come to visit so that we are able to minimize damage and loss of life and to complete recovery quickly.

What do you consider your biggest mistake so far?

I try to focus on the future and not the past.

We now have the lottery. How will it affect things?

It will make sure that our progress in education on class-size reduction and academic pre-K for 4-year-olds is sustainable and paid for. It will help address school-construction...

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