Will Lottery Return To Gov. Easley's 'To Do' List?

"I wish I'd gotten an education lottery," Easley said in an earlier interview with WRAL.

"The lottery will probably be the most contested issue, the most divisive issue that the Legislature faces next year," Democratic political consultant Brad Crone said.

Crone said the governor's independent style that appeals to voters will be tested by lawmakers, even with a majority.

"He's a different kind of governor in the sense that he doesn't work the telephones. He doesn't engage the legislators like we've seen in the past with Jim Hunt," he said.

Political commentator Barlow Herget believes the governor faces a challenge even though the political pressure will ease in his last term.

"Elected officials really push the things they're most interested in because they don't have to worry about getting re-elected," he said.

Easley's first order of business comes Thursday, when he will call a special session of the Legislature. The governor wants lawmakers to pass tax incentives to lure Dell Computer Co., to the Triad.