GOV. EASLEY SUGGESTS ‘RAINY DAY FUND’ FOR HURRICANE RELIEF

With damage estimates after last year’s hurricanes approaching $300 million, Gov. Mike Easley has asked legislators to approve the expenditure of $61 million from the North Carolina Rainy Day Fund.

Easley’s office has allocated or spent both state and federal money provided for storm assistance. He diverted $90 million in December from state agencies and secured more than $100 million in federal aid. The North Carolina Department of Transportation also spent $35 million on road and bridge repairs in the western part of the state.