Easley sees education legacy at risk as state fiscal woes grow

RALEIGH (Carolina Journal Online) — Six months after leaving office, former Gov. Mike Easley’s legacy as an “education governor” is beginning to crumble under the twin pressures of an economy in recession and legislative indifference. Some of his key education initiatives, popular with budget writers and educators alike during times of plenty, have been targeted for reduction or outright elimination as the economy forces legislators to prioritize.

Of Easley’s top education initiatives, one is on the brink of elimination, another is poised to be absorbed by a pre-existing federal program, and the future of several others is unclear. Only one has established itself as a total success.

A long-time education lobbyist who did not want to be identified recalled that Easley “had an uncanny ability to get his stuff through the legislature. … It’s quite interesting in light of recent developments to see (his education programs) unravel.”