Easley: 'It costs what it costs'

Submitted by bniolet on July 1, 2008 - 12:19pm.
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Gov. Mike Easley said that he wishes trips overseas weren't so expensive, but that high travel bills are necessary if the state hopes to land big exhibits or recruit new business.

"It costs what it costs," Easley said. "I wish it didn't cost that much, but lets be honest about it. A cheeseburger and onion rings is $60 over there. The dollar is very very weak now. That is why we were over there, to get those Euros coming to the U.S. for tourism."

Easley was asked about travel bills for trips he and his wife took to Italy and that his wife took to France and Russia and Estonia. Easley said a News & Observer story about Mary Easley's trips to Europe was unfair because it made it seem as if all expenses — $109,000 for both trips — were incurred by her.

Mary Easley's trip to Russia and Estonia was meant to try to build relationships with museum officials that could one day score a blockbuster exhibit, such as the 2006 and 2007 Monet exhibit that brought more than $20 million to the state.

"If we can get a show from The Hermitage, that would be worth a lot of money as well as the value for the people of North Carolina," Easley said.

Reporters pressed Easley on specific high-dollar bills such as a chauffeured car or fancy meals.

"I don't order cars. I really don't...I don't pick out the menus. I don't decide the venues," Easley said. "They asked me to come in the final leg of the trip in Italy to bring tourism to North Carolina."

The state departments that planned the two trips, Commerce and Cultural Resources are run by people appointed by Easley.

"Our hotels are not full. Our restaurants are not full. People are hurting. It's a $16.5 billion industry," Easley said. "Europeans can come to North Carolina and vacation for half the price that they can vacation in Europe and we're going to get our fair share of that."

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monkey see monkey do

Submitted by j1c2kp on July 15, 2008 - 1:31pm.

Tis the season

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Gov. Timothy M. Kaine is holding trade talks in Europe this week.

Kaine planned to meet Tuesday with Rolls-Royce officials in London after spending Monday in Warsaw, Poland. While in Warsaw, officials said Kaine explored supply chain opportunities as a guest of Swedish furniture giant IKEA.

The Virginia governor also plans to attend an air-trade show in Farnborough, England. On Thursday, Kaine is scheduled to travel to Ireland to meet with Irish government officials.

He is scheduled to return to Virginia on Saturday night.

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Re: Easley: 'It costs what it costs'

Submitted by breining24 on July 1, 2008 - 9:44pm.

Hayek66,

Yeah I have an estimate, its $0. Its most likely been $0 for some time and will continue to be so. Easley is so out of touch with this state, this guy will probably go down as one of the worst governors of all time. To put another Democrat in the mansion after 8 years of failure would be a disservice to the entire state.

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Re: Easley: 'It costs what it costs'

Submitted by breining24 on July 1, 2008 - 9:44pm.

Hayek66,

Yeah I have an estimate, its $0. Its most likely been $0 for some time and will continue to be so. Easley is so out of touch with this state, this guy will probably go down as one of the worst governors of all time. To put another Democrat in the mansion after 8 years of failure would be a disservice to the entire state.

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Re: Easley: 'It costs what it costs'

Submitted by FFC1304 on July 1, 2008 - 5:52pm.

SLEAZELY: PLEASE RESIGN IMMEDIATELY FOR THE GOOD OF THE STATE!

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Re: Easley: 'It costs what it costs'

Submitted by uncgop on July 1, 2008 - 1:55pm.

Interestingly enough...I just got back from France a few weeks ago...I paid 15.95 Euros for a cheeseburger and french fries with a coke.

That equals roughly $25.00 with tax.

Somehow that is still $35.00 less than what Easley's Cheeseburger cost. And I have a reciept to prove it...I wonder if he does.

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Re: Easley: 'It costs what it costs'

Submitted by hayek66 on July 1, 2008 - 1:50pm.

Anyone have an estimate on tourism dollars spent by Estonians in NC?

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Re: Easley: 'It costs what it costs'

Submitted by j1c2kp on July 1, 2008 - 12:57pm.

Would Mike like some cheese to go with that whine?

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Re: Easley: 'It costs what it costs'

Submitted by cantaloupe on July 1, 2008 - 12:55pm.

OH PUHLEEZE. "I don't pick out cars??" Is Governor Easley so out of touch with the capitalist market that he can't add a thousand plus a thousand and realize that a chauffeured car, on call 24/7 for an entire trip IS EXPENSIVE???? Wonder if he knows what a gallon of milk costs?

Somebody in that office should be watching expenses. I understand that the Governor can't do "Europe on 10 dollars a day" nor do we expect that. What we do expect is some level of common sense. I think you can order a taxi or limo rather than have one on call. I think you can eat somewhere besides the most expensive restaurant in France. I think you can balance convenience and cost, while maintaining appropriate security.

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