newsobserver.com projects - Commerce head billed frugally in Italy - Comments

Re: Sticking our heads in the sand- Brilliant

MeckDeck — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:55:41 -0400

ThomasPaine, have you ever actually read any Paine?

"Government by precedent, without any regard to the principle of the precedent, is one of the vilest systems that can be set up. In numerous instances, the precedent ought to operate as a warning, and not as an example, and requires to be shunned instead of imitated" --- Rights of Man.

Paine would recognize the Easleys in a moment, petty yet arrogant nobles on the make.

JAT

Re: Commerce head billed frugally in Italy

FFC1304 — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 08:02:32 -0400

Jim Fain and maybe an assistant were the ONLY ones who needed to go on this trip.

This is what you get after 100+ years of democrackkk domination of a once great state now totally corrupted.

Sticking our heads in the sand- Brilliant

ThomasPaine — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 23:42:48 -0400

Sticking our heads in the hand?... while other states agressively recruit jobs & massive investment which would otherwise locate in North Carolina?... yeah, that makes sense- that would be brilliant. The reality: we are in competition in a global economy. If you think we sit back and jobs show up at our door like a magnet... lacks a basic knowledge of the global market place. With that mindset- we'd make Mississippi look like a country club. Wake up. It's a global competition. Be first or perish. We have been a leader- #1 in the country- in agressively transitioning our economy from a glorfied tobacco patch to a world leader in banking, higher education and technology. Stay AHEAD of the game- North Carolina* Doing a GREAT job.

Re: Commerce head billed frugally in Italy

philrhodes2008 — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:43:46 -0400

"Bringing business to North Carolina" is not a proper role for our State government. Our government should exist to protect our property rights, provide "rule of law" and enforce contracts. The rest should be left to private concerns, whether voluntarily formed and funded non-proft cooperatives, or private for-profit enterprises or simply grass-roots citizens groups.

Nothing about this trip was justified or proper and the Easley family should repay the taxpayers the money that was spent.

And never mind that these supposed new businesses that might be coming are sure to be lapping at the trough of taxpayer funded corporate welfare.

Re: Commerce head billed frugally in Italy

becktonjames — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:35:50 -0400

Did anyone include the salaries of the 4 troopers to the rest of the trip?

$17,000 for airfare for 4 troopers,

guess everyone had to fly business class for security.

Re: Commerce head billed frugally in Italy

jesmyopinion — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 14:00:42 -0400

"he signed his expense form a week after a story in The News & Observer reported the cost of the Italy trip."

It is hard to know what to believe and what is the truth... But why would his wife need to go - was this not a business trip?

Any they need 4 State Troopers? Italy must be a really dangerous place - those expensive restaurants must be pretty dangerous places to eat at.

Commerce head billed frugally in Italy

bniolet — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:27:06 -0400

Department of Commerce Secretary Jim Fain billed frugally while he was in Italy.

Fain's expense report for his time in Italy shows he only billed the state $1,218 for expenses he incurred in the country in April as part of a business and tourism recruiting delegation. Fain's expenses billed to taxpayers were typically less than the amount billed by other members of the delegation. Gov. Mike Easley and his wife, Mary Easley were in Italy for the trip.

The bill from Fain and four state troopers along for security were not included in the $170,000 tab previously reported because the paperwork wasn't made available in time for the story. The new bills, including a $17,573 charge for four airline tickets for the troopers, total $30,538. For those counting, that puts the total cost of the trip to Italy right around $200,000.

The trip raised a few eyebrows for some of the expenses, such as $50,000 for two vehicles and a driver for the first couple. One lunch in Rome cost an average of $90 per person. Mary Easley was also a member of delegations that went to France and Russia at a cost to taxpayers of more than $109,000.

More after the jump.