The SEANC View

North Carolina's pension fund had a strong year. The fund earned an estimated $17 billion and returned 12.4% for the year ending June 30. So why aren't retirees getting COLAs?

Hosts Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins and Samantha Cline discuss this issue as they break down the week in state politics. They discuss the Atrium–state health plan standoff and its impact on premiums, and rising concerns over Social Security funding.

The...

This episode covers the legislature's return and the 51-page Technical Corrections Bill that restored funding for some departments, extended Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, and included incentives for major sporting events, while the House prepares to take up the bill.

We also discuss new election bills that shrink early voting, the escalating state health plan conflict with Atrium over pricing and network access, concern...

This episode of The SEANC View podcast discussed the new tier system of the State Health Plan, highlighting the controversy surrounding the exclusion of Atrium and WakeMed from preferred provider status. The plan aims to cap hospital reimbursements, which can sometimes reach over 800% of Medicare rates. Without the tier system, approved by the State Health Plan Board of Trustees, members faced premium increases of up to 21%. The di...

State Treasurer Brad Briner and Plan Executive Administrator Thomas Friedman join us this week to recap the State Health Plan Board of Trustees meeting and explain major changes: a premium increase, a new three-tier provider network (preferred, access, non-preferred), and the decision to return Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina as the third-party administrator and pharmacy benefit manager in 2028.

They discuss why the change...

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...

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...

In this episode, Dr. Brian Miller — hospitalist, policy advisor, and vice chair of the North Carolina State Health Plan Board — explores why health care is so expensive and what can be done about it.

We discuss hospital consolidation and the Atrium–WakeMed merger, steering and preferred provider strategies, income‑adjusted premiums, price transparency, drug costs, and practical steps the state health plan is takin...

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, recen...

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 Tayl...

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 tr...

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 wi...

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...

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 c...

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 de...

Hosts Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins, and Samantha Cline discuss the state legislature's short session, debates over tax cuts and a cost-of-living adjustment, looming budget and job cuts, and an upcoming state employee rally. We then sit down with Secretary of State Elaine Marshall to discuss her agency's staffing shortages amid a surge in new business formations and the need for better funding, as well as her long career in public ...

On a special 100th Episode of The SEANC View Podcast, we sit down with House Speaker Destin Hall on opening day of the legislative short session for an extended discussion on the state budget, proposed pay raises for state employees, retiree COLA, and health plan costs.

The conversation covers staffing shortages in public services such as state troopers and corrections, the use of lapsed salaries, the recruitment of younger workers...

On this episode of The SEANC View, the hosts and lobbyist Flint Benson break down the upcoming legislative short session, focusing on whether lawmakers will finalize a budget and how it could affect pay, pensions, and the state health plan. They also discuss Treasurer Brad Briner’s expansion of AI tools and the transparency and privacy concerns tied to public-sector use.

Other topics include the long-running Lake retiree heal...

State Auditor Dave Boliek joins the SEANC View podcast to discuss the January lapse salary report, the need for transparency and truth in budgeting, and how audits inform hiring, corrections funding, DMV operations, and contract oversight.

He also discusses the auditor's office use of technology and AI, plans for a bonds dashboard and periodic audits (including the $650M Charlotte stadium bond), and upcoming work on hurricane long-...

Thomas Friedman, Executive Administrator of the State Health Plan, joins The SEANC View podcast to explain the Lantern program, a new preferred-provider and tiered-access model designed to lower costs for members while improving quality and access.

We also discuss the recently approved preferred tiers by the State Health Plan Board of Trustees, efforts to protect rural access, early program results, and plans to negotiate better pr...