It was a week for follow-ups.

The most-read posts on Under the Dome from last Sunday to noon Friday included several updates on news items from the recent past.

1. The Eason Ultimatum? The N.C. Department of Agriculture says it never threatened the job of a staffer who refused to lower the flag, though an e-mail said he might be fired. Is that a penultimatum?

2. Billions and Billions. The N.C. Senate signs off on a $21.4 billion budget that includes more than $850 million in capital construction projects. We'd settle for a rounding error.

3. Roman Holiday. N.C. Commerce secretary Jim Fain billed the state only $1,218 for his part of a state trip to Italy in April. Heck, some people spend almost that much to see the Russian ballet.

4. You Never Call Anymore. Nearly five million North Carolina phone numbers have been placed on the federal "Do Not Call" registry since it started. Now, can we do something about our e-mail spam?

5. About Schmidt. Gov. Mike Easley's office is looking into the rehiring of a Department of Transportation employee who was fired after a racial confrontation. We have nothing funny to say about that.

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.

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How much is a cheeseburger in Europe?

At a press conference this morning, Gov. Mike Easley argued that a cheeseburger and onion rings cost $60 overseas. It's not clear which country he meant, but he was talking about his trip to Italy at the time.

"Let's be honest about it, a cheeseburger and onion rings is $60 over there," he said. "The dollar is very, very weak now."

According to this thread, a cheeseburger at McDonald's currently costs 6.5 Euros in Italy. At today's exchange rates, that's about $10.25.

Meantime, The Insider notes in its afternoon update that a Big Mac costs about 4.9 Euros in Paris, or $7.74 at current exchange rates.

"Of course, those Paris waiters, even at McDonald's, can get pretty pushy about their tips," they write.

Linda Daves is attacking Mike Easley's trip to Italy.

In a statement to the press, the chairwoman of the N.C. Republican Party says that the governor should not have spent $170,000 to go to Italy.

"Rising gas prices have caused many North Carolina families to cancel their vacations this summer," she said in the statement. "At a time when North Carolina families are struggling to make ends meet, they should not have to foot the bill for the Governor’s exploits abroad."

Daves says that Easley should either return the money or show the results of his trip. 

Gov. Mike Easley's recent trip to Italy cost taxpayers $170,000.

Expenses on the nine-day trip promoting North Carolina business opportunities ranged from $700 for a lunch for eight in Rome to nearly $52,000 for a daily chauffeured Mercedes car and van for Easley and his wife.

Part of the cost came from the weak dollar. Hotel bills topped $590 for two nights in Florence, though four years ago they would have been $160 cheaper at the going exchange rate.

State officials say the trip was a success, leading to as many as six promising leads for new or expanding businesses and two stories in Italian publications highlighting North Carolina as a tourist destination.

The Department of Commerce said Easley's luxury car was chosen by his security detail.

Bryan Beatty, head of the agency that handles his security, said that the car was necessary to protect the governor, since they did not how what kind of transportation would be available. (N&O)

Correction: A previous version of this post overstated the cost of the Easleys car service.

State Sen. David Hoyle may want to take diction classes.

In an April 24 meeting of the 21st Century Transportation Committee, the Gaston County Democrat said he got into hot water over an unclear word.

At the time, Gov. Mike Easley was on an economic development trip to Italy.

From the committee's minutes:

I got a call from the Governor's Office this morning asking me a question. I said I was making a comment this morning and I said this is what I would recommend to the Governor that he do it by executive order but the Governor is in Italy. One of the staff members said I called the Governor an idiot. I just wanted to make clear the word "Italy" and "idiot" are very close but the Governor is certainly my friend and not that.

Hat Tip: Bruce Siceloff 

No word yet on Gov. Mike Easley's presidential endorsement.

At today’s press conference of state lawmakers endorsing Barack Obama, a reporter asked whether any of them had heard from the famously reclusive governor on his endorsement.

"None of us speaks Italian, so we are unable to tell you anything at this time," quipped Sen. Tony Rand.

Easley is in Italy promoting tourism to North Carolina.

Gov. Mike Easley hopes to attract some Italian tourists to North Carolina during his economic trip to Italy.

The governor plans to spend about a week in Italy, meeting with Italian business leaders, promoting business investment in the state, as well as more tourism, Rob Christensen reports.

Because of the weak dollar, North Carolina might be more attractive to both Italian business leaders and tourists.

"Everything is 33 percent off or more," Easley said during an airport layover in New York.

Among other things, Easley said the North Carolina delegation will get a look at the wine industry, which is becoming increasingly important in North Carolina. He said North Carolina’s dry weather had been good for the state's vineyards.

Easley said he plans to have one meeting in London before heading home next weekend.

Gov. Mike Easley is hitting the road this weekend. And, no, it's not to his home in Southport.

Easley left today for Italy for what his office is calling a business development trip. He has stops planned for Rome (meeting with U.S. embassy officials and hosting an event for Italian tourism operators), Florence and Padova (meeting with representatives of Italian manufacturing, construction, energy, transportation and service industries), and Montalcino (meeting with Italian winemakers).

One of Easley's visits will be to Arneg, an Italian manufacturing company that is building a plant in Davidson County.