What the State Employees Association wanted from state treasurer

Tom Harris, a lawyer for the association, said in an e-mail message to Moore's attorneys that SEANC would dismiss its public records lawsuit if Moore agreed to support HB 2758 in the following manner:

* Send a letter to all lawmakers urging them to support the bill because "it addresses an important public policy need."

* Send a letter to House Speaker Joe Hackney asking that the bill be scheduled immediately for a hearing in the House Pensions and Retirement Committee and, upon a favorable committee vote, be scheduled for an immediate vote of the full House.

* Send a letter to Reps. Larry Bell and Jim Harrell, co-chairmen of the committee, urging them to call an immediate meeting of the committee to consider the bill and offering to testify in favor of the bill.

* Send a letter to members of the committee urging them to support the bill when it comes up for a vote.

* Should the House approve the bill, follow the same steps with the appropriate members of the Senate.

* Should the House and Senate approve the bill, "write an immediate letter" to Gov. Mike Easley urging him to sign the bill into law.

WHAT IS THE LAWSUIT ABOUT?

The State Employees Association of North Carolina requested public records detailing how Treasurer Richard Moore has managed the state pension fund. Moore has turned over thousands of pages. The association says there are many records they have not received. Moore says he has given everything his office has.

The lawsuit is seeking to have a judge declare that the records the association says are missing are public and should be turned over.

WHAT BILL DID THE ASSOCIATION WANT MOORE TO SUPPORT?

Currently, the state treasurer has the sole authority to invest and manage the state pension fund.

House Bill 2758 would give that authority to a board of trustees.

Moore says that having an elected treasurer run the fund means the treasurer is accountable to voters for his or her decisions. The association says having a board make the decisions provides for a more transparent process.

To see the bill, go to www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/ BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl and type in H2758.