The News & Observer of Raleigh reports that the state spent $1.15 million on airing television ads last spring encouraging North Carolinians to conserve water during the drought. The ads featured Gov. Mike Easley.
State officials are barred from using public money for political ads except in emergencies. An Easley spokeswoman told the newspaper that the drought was at emergency levels in some areas of the state, and therefore the ads were justified.
