Easley considering veto of Goodyear bill

Gov. Mike Easley may veto a bill desinged to give two large manufacturers incentives to stay in North Carolina.

Instead, the governor said Wednesday that he will seek legislation next year that would help keep large manufacturers from moving away from rural areas.

Under the plan, a company would have to be in one of the state's poorest counties, employ at least 1,500 and pay wages that equal or exceed 140 percent of the county average. It would be required to keep its workforce steady.

Easley said the plan would benefit Bridgestone Firestone, a Goodyear rival in Wilson. (N&O)

If he vetoes the bill, Easley is required to call lawmakers back to Raleigh. By a three-fifths vote, they can override, or a skeleton session can vote to refer the bill to next session. (Hunter's Tavern)

The legislature has not overridden an Easley veto before. (This Old State)

Correction: An earlier version of this post misstated the votes needed to override a veto.