The Office of the State Auditor is delving into the finances of the state health plan that serves about 650,000 state employees, teachers, retirees and their families.

Tim Hoegemeyer, general counsel for the auditor's office, said Thursday it had begun an audit of the plan's oversight and financial forecasts. He said the audit was prompted by announcements that the plan's fortunes had gone awry and from public requests to look into it.

Anyone with information about the health plan can call (800) 730-8477.

The controversy started this month when legislative leaders caused the firing of the plan's executive administrator, George C. Stokes. They said that Stokes had not kept them informed of the plan's finances and that the plan's projected $50 million surplus was going to turn into a $65 million deficit.

Stokes has denied that the plan is in fiscal collapse. He said he was improperly fired.

At the end of the legislative session, the state House voted to provide $100 million from the rainy-day fund to prop up the health plan if it runs out of money, but the Senate did not go along. Senate leaders sought to increase co-payments for plan members, which the House would not agree to.

Legislative leaders have said they may have to go into a special session later this year if the plan's fortunes worsen.

Many senators aid Perdue

More than half of Democratic state senators gave to Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue.

According to campaign finance reports, 18 of the 31 senators from the gubernatorial nominee's party have made donations to her since her re-election in 2004. Donations, mostly from the senators' campaign committees, range from $250 to several thousand dollars. In all, she received $33,210 from Democratic senators.

The biggest donor was Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand, who gave $8,000. Sen. Dan Clodfelter gave $4,500, Sen. Clark Jenkins gave $4,000, Sens. Julia Boseman and Linda Garrou gave $3,000, and Sen. William Purcell gave $2,000.

Others were Sens. Bob Atwater, Katie Dorsett, Ed Jones, A.B. Swindell, David Weinstein, Charles Albertson, David Hoyle, John Kerr and R.C. Soles. Senate leader Marc Basnight gave $760.

Sen. John Snow made a personal donation of $1,100, while Sen. Charlie Smith Dannelly gave $250.

A few senators hedged their bets, also giving to Perdue's former rival, state Treasurer Richard Moore. Rand gave $500, Swindell gave $1,000 to both candidates, and Albertson and Kerr gave both $500. Sen. Doug Berger gave Moore $3,000, but he did not donate to Perdue.

A dozen senators gave to neither candidate, including Sen. Kay Hagan, who is running for U.S. Senate; Sen. Walter Dalton, who is running for lieutenant governor; and Sen. Janet Cowell, who is running for state treasurer.

New job for Moore staffer

One of Moore's staff members is moving on after the Democrat's unsuccessful race for governor.

Moore's former deputy campaign manager, Julie White, has taken a job with an unusual connection -- the N.C. Metropolitan Coalition.

The advocacy group was founded in the late 1990s but was notably revitalized in 2000 by Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory and others. McCrory is running for governor against Perdue, Moore's old rival.

White is best known among reporters for her hard-driving efforts at persuasion and her fact-finding for Moore.

"Ms. White's energy, enthusiasm and experience will be of great benefit to the Coalition as we advocate for livable, environmentally sound and economically viable urban areas," Chapel Hill Mayor Kevin Foy said in a statement.

White starts Aug. 18.

Agent complains over dues

A Raleigh real estate agent has filed a complaint with the State Board of Elections.

In a letter sent Wednesday, Becky Harper complains about the N.C. Association of Realtors' use of required dues to oppose the transfer tax.

She notes that she is required to be a member of the association to have access to the Multiple Listing Service, which lists property for sale.

"I do not believe that it is right that my required fees are used to support direct political action for or against ballot initiatives," she writes.

She also notes that the dues are deductible as a business expense, but the use of them for political purposes may jeopardize that deduction.

Elections Director Gary Bartlett said the board will look into the complaint.

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