Published: Aug 04, 2006 12:30 AM Modified: Aug 04, 2006 03:15 AM

State Treasurer Richard Moore appeared on the CNBC show "Squawk Box" on Thursday morning.

Moore used his television appearance to send a message to H&R Block about its high-interest, short-term loans, his office said. Moore is working with the Community Reinvestment Association of North Carolina to end the loans H&R Block offers to borrowers for the maximum amount of their expected federal tax refund.

Consumer groups criticize the loans -- and the California attorney general is suing over them -- because the fees translate to interest rates of 150 percent to 400 percent. Many of the "refund anticipation loans" are taken by low-income tax filers. Moore wants shareholders to be able to vote on the issue, but the company won't allow it.

"This is just the latest example of corporate America's lack of responsiveness to their shareholders," Moore said.

The state retirement system holds more than $7 million worth of H&R Block stock, according to Moore's office.

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