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.

The Insider has another explanation of state Sen. Walter Dalton's spending bills.

The N.C. Republican Party's recently compared Dalton's $76 million in requested appropriations to his Republican rival for lieutenant governor, former Sen. Robert Pittenger, who requested just $1.9 million.

The Republican chairwoman said it showed a clear contrast on the issue of fiscal responsibility. The Insider, an e-mail newsletter owned by the N&O, noted that Dalton is a longtime senator who advises the state budget.

"Some might say the totals reflect another stark contrast: the difference in the two men's power," notes the e-mail newsletter's afternoon report.