Easley's biography

Gov. Mike Easley's staff heavily rewrote a biography on him for a state history book.

In the attached pages, wording suggested by the governor's press office is highlighted in yellow. The remainder comes from the original draft by Michael Hill, editor of "The Governors of North Carolina."

The additional text includes the fact that USA Today once named Easley one of the country's top drug busters, his creation of the Golden Leaf Foundation and N.C. Senior Care and his goal "to build 'One North Carolina.'"

"By investing in education, work force development, and infrastructure, Easley provided the tools needed to attract successful new industry and to grow existing businesses," the biography noted, in wording that originated with the governor's office.

Other changes were made within sentences. At the suggestion of the press office, a sentence about a state budget shortfall was amended to include that it was inherited from Gov. Jim Hunt's administration.

In all, more than two-thirds of the wording in the published version of the entry came from the governor's office.

To read the first draft of the biography, click here.