The SEANC View

In this special Gen Z episode of the SEANC View podcast, Samantha Cline and Jamison Rhodes sit down with Ramona Williams, a dedicated probation and parole officer, who shares her journey from aspiring lawyer to her current role, illustrating the challenges and rewards of public service. Discover the motivations driving Ramona's career choice, the obstacles she faced entering the field, and how her...

Cuts to federal funding in the recently passed "Big Beautiful Bill" will likely force the state legislature to make tough choices in this year's state budget. It may also hasten their return to Raleigh sooner than expected to reach a compromise. In this week's episode of The SEANC View Podcast, we discuss what the cuts may mean for state employees and retirees. We also discuss retiree cost-of-livi...

This week's episode of The SEANC View Podcast discusses what the gains mean for state retirees, including the prospects of a cost-of-living adjustment in the future. We also look at what North Carolina's ranking as the "Top State for Business" by CNBC means for state employees and retirees. We also discuss a push to get legislators to settle on a budget, as the loss of federal funding threatens so...

This week, the SEANC team welcomes special guest N.C. Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey for a discussion on the state budget, proposed job cuts at his office, and other topics. Commissioner Causey shares insights into the role of the Department of Insurance and highlights the importance of public safety during the summer, especially concerning fireworks and travel. We also discuss the impact o...

This week, we are joined by State Health Plan Executive Administrator Thomas Friedman for an in-depth look at the challenges facing the Plan and its 750,000-plus members. We discuss the ongoing negotiations with CVS Caremark and the expected premium increases for next year.  Also, we touch on the pressing issues of high healthcare costs and the need for transparency, and Friedman shares the plan's...

In this episode of the SEANC View podcast, we discuss the ongoing state budget negotiations and the critical issues facing state employees, including delayed raises and potential mini budgets. We also discuss changes to the SHRA Protections bill. We also explore the financial pressures on the University of North Carolina system, detailing administrative changes and personnel challenges within UNC-...

With the House and Senate still at odds over their tax plans, a new state budget likely won't be passed in time for the start of the new fiscal year on July 1. This week, the SEANC team discusses the implications of lawmakers leaving Raleigh at the end of the month without a deal in place. State functions and paychecks will continue without a new budget, but proposed raises will not be added until...

In this Did You Know episode, SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins delves into the challenges faced by retirees in North Carolina, part of the Teachers and State Employees Retirement System (TSERS), one of the largest in the country. Despite its size and strong asset-to-liability ratios, the retirement benefits lag behind the national average, impacting the financial well-being of those who serv...

In this edition, host Jonathan Owens, along with Ardis Watkins, Suzanne Beasley, and Sam Cline, dive into the ongoing budget discussions happening behind closed doors at the North Carolina legislature. Will the budget be wrapped up on time before the fiscal deadline? We explore the possibilities and the nuances involved in this critical process. Meanwhile, we take a fascinating detour into the wor...

Join us for the premiere episode of our new series, SEANC Voices, where we delve into the dynamic world of state employee advocacy. In this episode, we sit down with Kirk Montgomery, the President of SEANC, to discuss his experiences navigating the political landscape as both a state and local government employee. President Montgomery shares insights from his tenure, discusses the importance of le...

In this episode of the Scenic View podcast, our Gen Z hosts dive deep into the current political landscape affecting North Carolina. Join Samantha Cline, Dontravis Williams, Adam Winebarger, Tianna Alberts, and special guest Alexandra Kaulback as they discuss the implications of recent legislative sessions, specifically House Bill 549. Gain insights into state employees' challenges from proposed c...

In this episode, we discuss the passage of the House budget proposal and the impact of proposed job cuts. Each agency faces the challenge of meeting a 20% reduction in positions, raising concerns about maintaining service levels, particularly in critical areas like prisons and health facilities. Amidst financial pressures, the House proposal's implications for state employees and retirees are anal...

In this episode, Ardis Watkins from the State Employees Association of North Carolina shines a light on a critical issue affecting the state's correctional officers: insufficient starting salaries. Highlighted by the tragic 2017 Pasquotank Correctional escape and subsequent convictions for the murder of four staff members, the importance of adequate staffing and compensation becomes painfully clea...

Ardis Watkins discusses the House budget, which offers mixed news for state employees and retirees. While retirees receive a modest one-time bonus, active state employees are promised a small raise this year but not the next. The House also aims to eliminate 3,000 vacant state positions, exacerbating the already high vacancy rate in government jobs. Despite a minor income tax reduction, decreasing...

Government Relations Director Suzanne Beasley reports from the N.C. General Assembly on the House's plan to introduce its budget proposal.

With the House budget proposal around the corner, this episode delves into pressing issues surrounding mental health and correctional facilities amidst significant budget cuts. First Vice President Wendell Powell and DHHS Committee Chairwoman Kathy Merritt share firsthand insights into the challenges faced by state employees working in high-stress environments with alarming vacancy rates. Listener...

In this episode, we discuss crossover week at the General Assembly. SEANC members turned out in force against House Bill 549, which would strip State Human Resources Act protections from employees at the State Auditor's Office. We touch on the deep-seated concerns it raises for state employees. Moreover, we bring a fresh perspective to government dealings with Sam Klein's Gen Z views, highlighting...

In this episode, we tackle the contentious issues surrounding employment rights within state agencies, focusing on the potential implications of House Bill 549. This bill would remove State Human Resources Act protections from State Auditor's Office employees. It is a blatant attempt to politicize the workforce in an agency where employees must be protected. We dig deeper into why fighting for SHR...

With the legislature on spring break, we discuss the ongoing budget debate and the implications of stagnant state salaries in comparison to the private sector. The episode delves into the misconceptions around state government staffing levels, addressing the perceived 'bloat' and the real issues of understaffing and underfunding, particularly highlighting sectors like mental health and corrections...

This week's episode of the SEANC View Podcast discusses the newly released Senate budget proposal and its implications for state employees and retirees in North Carolina. The discussion covers proposed salary raises, bonuses, and the omission of retirees. The episode also delves into the budget proposal establishing the Division of Accountability, Value, and Efficiency within the State Auditor's O...

This episode highlights the anticipated Senate budget proposal, expected to be announced next week, and includes the controversial DAVE Act that empowers the State Auditor to recommend the elimination of state agencies and vacant positions. We also explore the concerns regarding SHRA protections and their potential erosion in a separate bill, as well as the broader implications for state employees...

This week, we discuss the controversial topic of government efficiency initiatives, including the DAVE Act, which aims to evaluate government positions and agencies for potential cuts using artificial intelligence. We critically explore the implications of these initiatives on state employees, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that considers both efficiency and employee welfare. Touchin...

Senate Bill 474, filed Monday by Senate Leader Phil Berger, would create a Division of Accountability, Value, and Efficiency within State Auditor Dave Boliek’s office. By the end of the year, the division would produce a report identifying which state agencies and positions should be dissolved. The N.C. House has also set up a committee tasked with a similar focus. Our team discussed the DAVE Act...

Governor Josh Stein released his state budget proposal on Wednesday. It fell short for state employees, retirees, and taxpayers. Stein proposed a 2% pay raise and bonuses for state employees and retirees while not fully funding the state retirement system. In this episode, we break down the plan’s potential impacts and long-term implications on the budget debate. We also explore the broader econom...

In this episode of the SEANC View podcast, host Jonathan Owens is joined by Suzanne Beasley, Ardis Watkins, and Sam Cline to discuss Governor Josh Stein's recent State of the State address. State employees and retirees were largely absent from the address, despite the ongoing crisis of high vacancy rates within state agencies and the resultant pressure on remaining employees. The team also touches...