The SEANC View

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 world of generational insights as we r...

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 legal protections for state workers, ...

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 changes to human resources protectio...

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 analyzed. The team critiques the budget...

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 clear.

While neighboring states offer s...

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 public service staff may lead to d...

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.

Listeners will gain an understanding of the...

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 a generational shift towards more ...

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 SHRA protections for all state employe...

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. Dissecting the budget plans, the ...

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 Office, and the implications of elim...

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. Don’t miss this insightful discus...

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.

Touching on the broader political landscap...

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 on this week's episode of The SEANC...

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 economic context, addressing concerns ove...

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 on the legislature's oversight of ...

Rep. John Torbett joined this week's edition of the SEANC View Podcast to discuss the House Select Committee on Government Efficiency work, which he co-chairs with Rep. Keith Kidwell. Torbett discusses in length the committee's aims, how it compares to the national DOGE effort led by Elon Musk, and the role SEANC and state employees will play in its work.

Before the interview, the SEANC team discusses this week's House Commerce and...

This week, a bill filed in the House targets "DEI Initiatives" in state government without clarifying what that means. State Treasurer Brad Briner, State Auditor Dave Boliek, and Commissioner of Labor Luke Farley have made similar statements. In this week's edition of the SEANC View Podcast, we discuss how these statements might affect state workers.

We talk about the State Health Plan Board of Trustees meeting planned for next wee...