North Carolina Lame Duck Governor Enjoys Expensive European Junkets

Perhaps if North Carolina Governor Easley could stand for re-election his recent and lavish trips to Europe with just months left in office would not gain so much attention in the state. Add to this equally lavish (and some feel unnecessary) trips by Mary Easley and taxpayers begin to question whether the Governor and First Lady are using his remaining months in office to take expensive vacations at state expense to some of Europe's most exotic and expensive destinations.

The uproar began when taxpayers learned that in April the Governor and his wife spent $170,000 on a trip to Italy that was charged to the state as an effort to promote business and tourism in the state.The First couple stayed in first class hotels, dined in first class restaurants and toured the region in two chafferer driven Mercedes-Benz Limousines.

When questions about this arose the Raleigh News and Observer reported that the Governor far from apologetic defended not only the trip, but the seemingly extravagant spending. "It costs what it costs" the Governor said in a defensive response to a reporter's question about expenses. In his defense the Governor stated that travel in Europe is expensive today as the dollar is weak and European prices as a result are high.

When asked why two very expensive chaffered Mercedes-Benz limos were necessary the Governor actually said he would have preferred a van, but that Mercedes are what people drive in Europe!

The Raleigh News and Observer also reported that just last year the Governor and First lady enjoyed a state paid trip to France at a cost of $53,000. This included $27,000 for a chauffeur driven Mercedes-Benz (the car people drive in Europe), even though the Governor would have preferred a van.

Again, in defense of his trips the Governor explained that he did not personally initiate or plan these trips as the arrangement were made by the State department of Commerce the Department of Culture Resources. When in a follow-up question a reporter asked who appoints the director of the department of Commerce and the Department of Culture Resources the Governor snapped, "I do".

In May of this year Mary Easley traveled with five other people to Estonia and Russia at a cost to the state of $53,000. According to the Governor, these trips were necessary to build a relationship with Museums in Europe in hopes that in the future cultural and art exchanges may occur from which the people of the state would benefit.

Taxpayers throughout the state, both Democrats and Republicans question why these exchanges only became important to the Easley during the last year of his eight years in office.

The News and Observer reported that under pressure from the state press the Governor held what was labeled a "testy" news conference in which in limited reporters to a single question and during which he angrily confronted one reporter for interrupting him.

When it appeared things could not get any worse for the Governor The Charlotte Observer reported that Mary Easley in her position asExecutive in Residence at North Carolina State University just received an increase in salary from her current pay of $90,000 a year to $170,000 a year with no change in job title, but with some change in duties. Ms. Easley, a lawyer, teaches Law Courses at NCSU.

As with the last minute European travel the timing of this raise in pay was questioned. Ms. Easley will not only benefit from an immediate pay increase, but the new salary will determine and dramatically increase her state retirement benefit witch is calculated based on the employee's four highest earning years.

By way of comparison the average pay for a full professor at NCSU is $110,000 per year.

The Charlotte Observer reports Ms. Easley as commenting, "what people need to understand is that I bring something unique to the state".

Governor Easley responded to questions about his wife's new salary claiming it is pure "Sexism", and stating that "if it were a man no one would notice"

State employees who have requested pay raises from the Governor, and whose last pay increase averaged 5% are upset with what they see as "preferential treatment"

North Carolina which ranks 35th in the nation in public school teacher pay where teachers start at $35,000 a year and average $45,000 a year could use some of Ms Easley's 88% salary increase. The Governor has asked for a 7% increase in teacher pay in the state.

It seems the Easleys can't relate to the average citizen in the sate or understand their questions into the Easley final year perks.

Governor Easley ran for Governor as a hard working farm boy from eastern North Carolina. After seven years as Governor Easley's actions beg the age old question, "How you going to keep them down on the farm after they've seen Parieeeeeeeeeee.