Mike Easley in 2001 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Education:
Get K-12 up to levels of rest of education system
We basically have four parts to education in this state, and we are leading the way in three of them. The first is early childhood development where we have a national model in Smart Start. The second is the university system. We were the first in the
country to start a state-supported university, and we remain the envy of the nation today. The third is our community colleges, considered one of the most comprehensive systems in the country. The fourth is K-12. It makes absolutely no sense that we
can be a national leader in the other three categories yet lag behind in K-12. We can’t be satisfied to be a leader in most categories of education. We must be a leader in all categories of education.
We can be number one across the board. We’re
making real progress. And we cannot stop now. We can’t let a budget shortfall become an education shortfall. This year, we have to break that cycle, finish the job, overcome any barrier and let those young minds flourish. We can’t make excuses.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to N. C. Legislature
Feb 19, 2001
On Education:
More Pre-K; smaller classes; more teacher pay
I’m proposing an initiative designed to give children the boost they need during their early learning years. - First, the creation of a voluntary statewide pre-kindergarten [Pre-K] program to prepare at-risk four-year olds for school.
-
We must reduce class size to 18 or below in grades K-3.
- We must invest in the Teaching Fellows program. We pay teachers to go to school and they pay us back by teaching school. It helps us get and keep high-quality educators.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to N. C. Legislature
Feb 19, 2001
On Education:
Use a lottery to fund elementary schools
In this tight fiscal environment, it is going to take some creative solutions to continue funding real progress in education. The truth is, North Carolina is already funding smaller classes and education improvements. Unfortunately, we’re funding them in
VA and GA and soon in SC and TN. We are spending hundreds of millions of North Carolina’s dollars to build new schools in other states, while we’re packing our kids in trailers at home. We are the only state that plays the lottery and gives away the
proceeds.I want to keep North Carolina’s money in North Carolina’s schools for North Carolina’s children. Those resources could, and should, stay home. I am not saying a lottery for education is the only solution, it’s just one solution. If anyone has
another way to find the $400 - $500 million for education, I am open to it. But you can’t just say “no” we’re against a lottery-finish the sentence-tell me what you’re for, because next year 100,000 five-year olds will show up at the schoolhouse door.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to N. C. Legislature
Feb 19, 2001
On Health Care:
Supports Patients’ Bill of Rights with right to sue
We’re introducing a Patients’ Bill of Rights that many of you have been working for. It will protect patients’ rights, and it will make our principle very clear - if an insurer denies access to its consumers and that denial results in injury
then they must face the consequences just as a doctor, nurse or hospital. Those insurers who are trying to limit your medical treatment have to accept the accountability as well as the profit.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to N. C. Legislature
Feb 19, 2001
On Health Care:
Prescription drug plan for seniors reduces net costs
We will have a prescription drug plan for seniors. The rising cost of medication has caused many to choose between pain medication and antibiotics. The result is they end up sick, in the hospital - more cost for us and more suffering for them.
We have the funds available from a portion of the tobacco settlement to help our seniors - the greatest generation. They were there for us when we needed them, and we will be there for them now that they need us. No Excuses.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to N. C. Legislature
Feb 19, 2001
On Principles & Values:
Fosters “One North Carolina” of equal opportunity
Tonight, I urge you to stand with me in a commitment to One North Carolina where every citizen in every region has a fair chance to succeed. North Carolina values require that we all work together to spread our success, not by taking wealth from any
one region, but by sharing opportunity and expertise with every region. North Carolina must be one state where opportunity is equal. No Excuses. No Excuses means investing in our people.- It means maintaining our commitment to education by making sure
that every child in every county has every opportunity to succeed, regardless of economic condition.
- It means taking care of our seniors, those who took care of us for so many years.
- It means protecting patients’ rights.
- It means keeping North
Carolina competitive in the global marketplace.
- It means protecting our environment so that our children can swim in the same waters and harvest the same land that we did.
- It means not using the tough economy as a reason to quit.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to N. C. Legislature
Feb 19, 2001
Page last updated: Mar 14, 2021