Variety reports that public pension funds in 5 states – New York, Massachusetts, Virginia, New Jersey, and Connecticut – have joined California in calling for a no vote on Disney CEO Michael Eisner at next weeks shareholder meeting. “I call on Disney directors to separate the positions of chairman and chief executive and to replace Mr. Eisner as soon as possible,” said New York Comptroller Alan Hevesi in a statement. All the states combined only hold about 40 million shares. But “the prominent defections – although they still represent only a drop in the bucket for a company with circa two billion shares outstanding – have many wondering how much bad press and how many ‘no’ votes it would take for Eisner to leave”.

CBS Marketwatch reports that North Carolina is now part of the list of state funds urging a NO vote.