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In 2003, then-state Sen. Kay Hagan supported an amendment to the state budget that would buy software to catch fraudulent Medicaid claims.

Dome has previously reported that Hagan, who is now a U.S. senator, was in a position six years ago to advance the proposal by Republican state Sen. Robert Pittenger. Pittenger's bill didn't advance past Hagan's committee.

Hagan's staff did their own research that shows Hagan supported the idea in various stages in the budget process that year. The proposal was included in a Senate budget proposal but was not included in the final budget, legislative records show.

Pittenger and other Republicans criticized Hagan for pushing a similar proposal this week as an amendment to federal health care legislation when they say she could have done more to push the same proposal in 2003.

Hagan's staff says the legislative record shows otherwise.

U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan specifically mentioned Cary-based SAS as a company that could provide the federal government with software designed to prevent health care fraud.

Hagan, a Greensboro Democrat, said the company doesn't have an inside track on getting a federal contract. She said she was using the company as an example.

"I only say SAS because they happened to share some of this information with me. Obviously being from North Carolina I had an opportunity to discuss this with them," Hagan told reporters in a conference call Wednesday. "This is not something in particular that we're doing on their behalf."

SAS has been the go-to reference for N.C. politicians pitching anti-fraud software. In 2003, Republican Sen. Robert Pittenger mentioned the company by name in a bill that sought to purchase software for the state.

As we've previously noted, Hagan received $4,000 in contributions from SAS CEO Jim Goodnight and his wife Ann Goodnight.

U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan said from the Senate floor Tuesday that software could prevent billions in Medicare and Medicaid fraud.

It was part of a package of amendments Senate freshman advanced that were meant to lower health care costs by eliminating fraud, abuse and waste.

In 2003, a similar bill that would have purchased the same type of software for the state died in a powerful state Senate committee co-chaired by Hagan, a Greensboro Democrat.

Hagan said she doesn't specifically remember the bill. A spokesman said the software Hagan is advocating now is more advanced than the products available in 2003.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee will speak in Charlotte.

The one-time Republican presidential candidate will hold events to benefit a conservative advocacy group he runs, the Vertical Politics Institute, and his political action committee, Huck PAC.

The first event will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 11, at the Charlotte City Club. The cost for the private roundtable discussion is $500 per person and comes with a photograph with Huckabee.

He'll also be the guest of a private reception immediately afterward.

The cost of that event is $250 per person or $500 per couple.

Huckabee's last major appearance was at a get-out-the-vote rally in Raleigh and Charlotte in October. He was a speaker at last year's state Republican Party convention, where he notably helped save former state Sen. Robert Pittenger from choking.

Correction: The two events were incorrectly described in a previous version of this post.

The Senate class of 2008 has some big shoes to fill.

For the most part, the freshman senators are taking the seats of lawmakers who went on to higher offices — or at least ran for higher office.

The five (or six, depending on your definition) may face higher expectations as a result.

Here's a quick look at the new senators-elect:

Don Vaughan (D): A politically active Greensboro attorney who served seven terms on the City Council will be taking the seat of U.S. Sen.-elect Kay Hagan.

David Rouzer (R): A former aide to U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms from McGee's Crossroads will take over the Johnston County seat of unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate Fred Smith.

Debbie Clary (R): The state representative from Cherryville, the sole Republican win from its November wishlist, will take the seat of Lt. Gov.-elect Walter Dalton.

Josh Stein (D): A well-connected Raleigh lawyer who worked for John Edwards' in D.C. and served as deputy attorney general will be taking the Raleigh seat of Treasurer-elect Janet Cowell.

Don Davis (D): An Air Force veteran, college professor and the popular (and youngest ever) mayor of Snow Hill will be taking the seat of retiring Sen. John Kerr III.

Bob Rucho (R): A former four-term state senator, appointed to unsuccessful lieutenant governor candidate Robert Pittenger's seat in June, is already running for a leadership role.

Correction: An earlier version misstated the length of Vaughan's tenure.

Related: The House Class of 2008 

Readers wanted to know about Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory.

His political profile was accessed more than any other during the election season. The next four most frequently viewed profiles were for candidates in down-ballot, council of state races. Although it's impossible to say for sure, it's a good bet that the most-viewed profiles were viewed by voters trying to make a decision.

1. Pat McCrory        
2. Robert Pittenger        
3. Mary Fant Donnan    
4. Janet Cowell        
5. Wayne Goodwin        

Lt. Gov.-elect Walter Dalton says a lot of statewide races were close and Democrats will have to work with Republicans to get things done.

"I think the vote totals were very close, so I think this is still a two-party state," Dalton said. "We've got to bring people together."

Dalton, a state senator, said Robert Pittenger, the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor, called him Tuesday night. The race took a harsh tone in the last weeks of the campaign with Pittenger accusing Dalton of loading state budgets with pork and Dalton emphasizing in ads Pittenger's wealth. Dalton said there were no hard feelings.

"He called and congratulated me," Dalton said. "Some attack ads I didn't agree with and it wasn't pleasant to hear those, but I understand it's politics."

Dalton said he has a good relationship with Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue and expects to take on whatever challenges she gives him.

"That's the one thing we brought to this race. We have an existing working relationship," Dalton said.

A new ad from Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Walter Dalton criticizes Republican opponent Robert Pittenger.

Democrat Walter Dalton of Rutherfordton is running this ad in his race for lieutenant governor against Charlotte Republican Robert Pittenger. The Pittenger campaign says the reference to Charlotte is not playing in versions of the ad running in that city.

What the ad says: Announcer: "Only one candidate has the experience to be Lieutenant Governor." Voices: "Walter Dalton. Walter Dalton. Walter Dalton."

Announcer: "Walter Dalton created thousands of new jobs. Walter Dalton capped the gas tax. Walter Dalton strengthened community colleges.

"Walter has raised the salaries of community college professors, supported workplace development programs, supported the historic community college-university bond that has helped strengthen the community college system. And the list goes on.

"And millionaire Robert Pittenger? He opposed raising the minimum wage. He opposed capping the gas tax. And Pittinger opposed incentives that created new jobs.

"Robert Pittinger. A Charlotte millionaire we just can't afford."

Dalton: "I'm Walter Dalton candidate for Lieutenant Governor and I sponsored this ad."

The ad features pictures of a handful of people repeating Dalton's name and then cuts to photos of Pittenger in front of gas pumps and an unemployment office. It also shows Pittenger in front of a lavish home. It's not his.

The background: Dalton voted for jobs and to cap the gas tax, but didn't pass those measures single-handedly. While he co-chairs the Senate budget committee, the Democratic majority passed those measures.

In 2006, Pittenger did join other Republicans in voting against a bill raising the minimum wage from $5.15 to $6.15 an hour in North Carolina, the first hike in nine years. Republicans argued that the increase would hurt employers.

The 2006 and 2007 provisions to cap the gas tax were included in budget bills passed largely along party lines. Pittenger and other Republicans objected to the overall bill on principle, which raised state spending by 10 percent. Pittenger and other Republicans supported a separate GOP bill to cap the gas tax. It died in committee.

Pittenger, who has consistently favored lower taxes, has generally opposed using tax dollars for economic incentives.

As for the "millionaire" label, Pittenger and his wife Suzanne have loaned or contributed $2.6 million to his campaign, according to a recent report filed with the state board of elections.

Is the ad accurate? Yes, though Dalton may be overstating his role in Senate accomplishments. And the votes on the gas tax cap were largely partisan votes Republicans that Pittenger opposed for other reasons.

— Jim Morrill

Former N.C. Sen. Robert Pittenger, Republican candidate for lieutenant governor, is running a TV ad against his Democratic challenger, state Sen. Walter Dalton.

What the ad says: Announcer: "Raleigh's pigging out. Take Senator Walton Dalton. Dalton gave Goodyear tax breaks...after they hired his brother-in-law. Dalton made state insurance pay for erectile dysfunction drugs...while Dalton's daughter was the drug company's lobbyist. Dalton gave Dell special tax breaks...while he owned Dell stock. Wasteful Walter Dalton. He made government work...For Walter Dalton."

"I'm Robert Pittenger, running for Lieutenant Governor, and I sponsored this message."

The ad features cartoon images of pigs prancing around with bags of money.

The background:

- In September 2007, the legislature passed an economic incentives bill that would give Goodyear more than $24 million over 10 years. On a strictly party-line vote, Dalton voted in favor; Pittenger against.

Goodyear hired Dalton's brother-in-law - former Republican legislator and gubernatorial candidate Chuck Neely - on Aug. 31, a day after Gov. Mike Easley vetoed an early version of the incentives bill. Dalton publicly supported that version. But when it passed the Senate overwhelmingly, he was absent.

- Under one version of the 2004 budget, drugs such as Cialis -- after a four-year absence - reappeared on a list of those eligible for coverage under the state health plan. Dalton, a chief budget writer, said at the time that the suggestion came out of a subcommittee. The measure passed the Senate but never became law.

Dalton's daughter, Elizabeth Dalton, was a lobbyist for Eli Lilly, which manufactured Cialis. Aides say Dalton also has voted against his daughter's clients, such as the N.C. Retail Merchants. And they say he voted for a similar drug provision in an earlier budget, when his daughter was still in college.

- In 2004, Dalton was among a majority of lawmakers who voted for $242 million worth of incentives to computer-maker Dell. Dalton had bought $10,000 worth of Dell shares in 1999. While the stock value rose after the incentives deal, he later sold it at a loss.

Dalton spokeswoman Kimberly Reynolds said the stocks were in a managed account and "daily decisions are made by his financial advisor without input from Sen. Dalton." She said Dalton has long supported measures he believes will create jobs.

Is the ad accurate? The votes are accurate. But the implication that Dalton voted because of family ties or personal benefit is subjective.

- Jim Morrill, The Charlotte Observer