Hosts break down the newly signed state budget — what the 3% raise really means, why raises and bonuses are delayed, and how step pay plans affect probation, parole, and correctional staff. They also cover retiree reactions and the controversy over who receives bonuses. The episode previews the State Health Plan Board meeting, reviews the Public Workforce Modernization Act (including extended parental leave), answers Facebook viewer questions, and asks listeners how they would spend a proposed $1 billion for state needs. Send your answers to [email protected]

This week, we break down the newly passed state budget: modest 3% raises for most state employees, targeted larger increases for law enforcement and corrections, bonuses for workers and retirees, and concerns about cuts and hundreds of vacant positions. The episode discusses rising state health plan costs, the $1 billion left unappropriated (and speculation about public funding for a sports team), member outrage, and the importance of voting and civic involvement ahead of the November election.

In this episode, Dr. Brian Miller, a hospitalist and health policy expert, discusses the complexities of healthcare costs, hospital mergers, and strategies to improve the North Carolina state health plan. He shares insights on transparency, administrative waste, and the importance of value-based purchasing.

State Treasurer Brad Briner joins the SEANC View podcast to explain how the pension reached a record $148.3 billion, discuss recent investment moves, including AI stakes like Anthropic, and explain why the office passed on buying part of the Carolina Hurricanes. He also covers portfolio changes, timber holdings, and efforts to improve returns for retirees and taxpayers.  The conversation addresses health plan challenges, recent Medicare Advantage cost adjustments for retirees, transparency around fees and holdings, and broader initiatives—from power affordability to America 250 outreach—that affect state employees and retirees.

This week, we start with Raleigh's Stanley Cup fever before diving into state politics and budget delays that are stalling lawmakers. The episode examines rising healthcare costs for retirees, the controversial Atrium–WakeMed merger and its impact on competition and patient bills. Also covered: disputes over early voting sites at Western Carolina University, community vs. campus tensions, plus lighter culture segments on Taylor Swift, Toy Story 5, concert ticket prices, and mental health concerns.

Hosts Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins, Suzanne Beasley, and Sammy Cline discuss the latest on the state budget, workforce reforms, and staffing challenges across North Carolina government. Also, we discussed 'Pension Fight Club,' a first-of-its-kind investigative documentary about the threat to public pensions across the country, which features Watkins among dozens of pension leaders, board members, and advocates demanding greater transparency and accountability. We also cover a tragic child welfare case prompting oversight, the state auditor’s planned review of the Opportunity Scholarship program, pension gains and COLA prospects, and a debate over social media and AI protections for minors.

Hosts dive into North Carolina’s budget stalemate, including the controversy over large raises for correctional officers and the resulting wage compression and staffing problems, stalled projects like the zoo’s Asia expansion and major hiring delays, and the ongoing debate over hospital consolidations and pension concerns. Then, in an interview, SECU outlines changes to payroll deduction and previews a new mobile app with budgeting and money-transfer tools — members are urged to know their login before the upgrade. The episode also covers GLP-1 drug funding, public pension issues, a light Gen Z segment on influencers, and the popular theme-park ticket program.

Hosts Jonathan Owens and Suzanne Beasley break down the latest at the legislature, including proposed budget raises, a looming income tax constitutional amendment, retiree COLA concerns, and SEANC’s new vacant-jobs dashboard. They discuss the staffing crisis across state agencies and how pay compression is driving vacancies. Guest Tammera Hill, Chief Operating Officer of the Department of Adult Correction, details the planned closure of Craggy Correctional Institution, employee transfers, recruitment challenges, and the need for meaningful pay solutions. Visit SEANC.org to contact your legislators.

Hosts Jonathan Owens, Suzanne Beasley, Artis Watkins, and Samantha Cline and special guest Wendell Powell break down the legislature's new budget framework — including raises and one-time bonuses for state employees, teachers, law enforcement, and retirees — and debate who benefits and who is left behind. The episode also covers pension concerns and the Pension Fight Club documentary, hiring and turnover costs, health care and insurance changes, the WakeMed–Atrium consolidation, and how listeners can contact legislators and get involved.

This episode examines the controversial Atrium-WakeMed merger, the Wake County commissioners' 90-day pause, and concerns from state leaders that hospital consolidation will drive up health care costs. Hosts discuss reactions from the state treasurer and auditor, corporate pay and nonprofit tax exemptions, and the potential impact on the state health plan. Also covered: SEANC lobby day, Public Service Recognition Week, the budget debate, and calls for raises and COLAs for state employees and retirees.