Governor Easley changes commitments yet again

When Governor Easley presented his proposed new budget in February he indicated he wants to shift more lottery proceeds into early education programs. This poses a problem for counties that have made plans to use the funds for other school needs. In Wilson County for example "A loss of funds for school construction would severely hinder paying for three planned county schools", said county manager Ellis Williford.

Wilson Times
March 14, 2007
Alex Keown, Daily Times Staff Writer

Lottery change has officials worried

Wilson County and school officials are concerned about Gov. Mike Easley's proposal to fund his More at Four program with lottery funds slated for school construction needs.

A loss of funds for school construction would severely hinder paying for three planned county schools, said county manager Ellis Williford.

The County and School District have a contract to buy 74 acres on N.C. 42 and Airport Boulevard. They plan to build an elementary school for about $17 million that should be ready for the 2008-09 school year. Plans call for a middle school to also be built on that site.

To pay for the land and the school, the Wilson County Board of Commissioners in January gave the school system $1 million and approved spending up to $17 million for construction.

When Easley proposed his budget last month, he proclaimed he wanted to put more lottery proceeds into early education programs.

The governor's new proposal would spend about $43 million less from lottery proceeds on school construction costs, a 24 percent reduction from lottery projections. It would also reduce the total amount of lottery funds being spent on education. Currently 35 percent of the lottery total is slated to be spent on education, however the governor proposes dropping that to 29 percent and using the remaining 6 percent for lottery prizes. Read more...