Mary Easley's salary jumps by $79,000

Gee, "merit," I think you might want to reconsider your own little mini-rant there. I don't think the matter of taxpayer waste is "ridiculous," nor are objections about special treatment given to politicians' friends or loved ones out of line.

As a Democrat, I'm disgusted by the example Mike Easley has set for arrogance and abuse of office. He has treated state employees with contempt while setting a terrible example, as the #1 state employee, for how to run state government.

He botched the state's effort at mental health reform, was "creative" in his explanations of the position taken by his office on the measures in question, fired a longtime, effective, hardworking employee for sheer spite, and has had his staff delete inconvenient emails on that and any other matters he didn't want the press to see.

As one who does not relish the prospect of a GOP takeover, I can't say I have much enthusiasm for Beverly "more of the same" Perdue -- especially given the good old boy culture that put her where she is. The gal has been primed and polished by Marc Basnight, David Hoyle and Tony Rand, who recently thumbed his nose at all of us by closing the door to an important budget meeting. Perdue's participation in the "business as usual" mode their leadership stands for is a big red flag.

There is good reason Richard Moore can't bring himself to endorse her, which is less about his loss in the primary than it is what we stand to lose if we keep electing the kind of politician whose indulgence in or toleration for unethical practices is an open secret.

Go back to school, get a better degree or do something else. Why aren't you worth as much as Ms. Easley? Only you know that but criticizing her and getting up in arms about tax payer waste is ridiculous. Ever seen how much some state univeristy coaches are paid?
Sorry folks, you all sound like a bunch whiny children who just found out life ain't fair.
Deal with it.

I dont understand why there's not a REVOLT of state employees...too many scared, complacent lily livered fat folks too scared they'd have to get a real job! STATE EMPLOYEES UNITE and REVOLT!!!

Um, I'm a junior associate at a law firm in New York (though originally from Chapel Hill) and while I do make (as a second year) more per year than Mary Easley, it's an ill-fitting comparison because:

1. I am absolutely positive junior associates at most law firms (myself included) drawing those salaries work many more hours than she does);

2. Those large salaries are only for junior associates in very big markets (New York, LA, DC, maybe Chicago); no junior associate in Raleigh makes that much;

AND

3. It's not the state paying me! Tax money doesn't pay for my salary.

If you want a direct explanation on this matter, the phone number for NC State University Provost Larry Nielson is 919-515-2192 and his email address is: larry_nielsen@ncsu.edu

Or, ask Mary Easley about the raise. Her email is: m.easley@ncsu.edu

Fascinating how the republicans jump all over this but if the Easley's had a little (R) behind their name instead of the (D), this would be nothing more than a "liberal media witch hunt."

I love when republicans site the NY Times and The Washington Post, etc when it's something agree with but when it's not - the whining, crying begins that it's the "liberal media" attacking us again.

WAH!!!!!!!!!!

Jr associates do indeed bank six figures and Mrs. Easley apparently does have an impressive resume. However, the problem is pretty obvious. She only has her current position because she's the governor's wife. And now her salary almost doubles? It's clear to see this is much like Michelle Obama's salary doubling when her husband was elected to the senate. At least that hospital in Chicago bought influence as Obama's career was ascending. To double Mrs. Easley on the back end of Tax Hike Mike's term, and on the heels of very questionable vacations (call the trips what they were), shows the Easleys to be crooked and completely out of touch with what real people are facing in the current economy. They are belly up at the public trough.

This crowd is beyond belief! From Obama's low-interest home loan to Queen Mary's latest insult to the intelligence of every North Carolinian.

Maybe, Craig Wittig should have taken Queen Mary with him! Wittig was fired by Wake County and may face CRIMINAL charges for his trips at taxpayer expense - should we expect any less from Lady(?) Easley. Wittig took tax-paid vacations (including whale-watching cruise and 4 Disney World trips-including his entourage-and only managed to spend $161,233.

Like Mrs. Easley he claims his travels were legitimate business trips since his job duties included directing an anti-littering campaign and planning a proposed environmental education center. It seems local Wake County crooks get a better return on their money than their freinds at the Governor's Mansion!

Where's the Beef?? - If the un-elected Queen Mary (or Hillary II) and His Execellency ate $60 dollar cheeseburgers in Europe, let's see the tab! I bet not!

Good for her. Glad to see her Law Degree from an NC school (WF) is paying dividends and raising the bar and prestige of such state programs. I know SEVERAL junior associates just out of law school earning more than her without NEAR her resume (Magna Cum Laude, 10yrs as ADA, owned her own practice for 8 years...etc) to say the least, she's earned it! and NC is getting a heck of a deal... so, I'm not sure what all the hoopla is.

I cannot for the life of me understand why this paper continually needs to post articles of what they are trying to spin as 'fraud and abuse' of public funds when the net effect has been in North Carolina's favor!