The SEANC View
Examining the issues and topics concerning public employees and retirees in North Carolina. SEANC is the South’s leading state employee association, with 46,000 members in all 100 counties in North Carolina.
Episodes
This week, State Human Resources Director Staci Meyer visits the podcast to discuss state employment in North Carolina. Meyer outlines the state’s hiring challenges (about a 19–20% vacancy rate and long time-to-hire), explains how law changes and technology will speed recruiting (resume/profile applications, temp-to-perm, pooled hiring, pay/classification flexibility), and discusses retention, retiree concerns, Gen Z recruitment, a...
Health care is in the spotlight in this episode of the SEANC View podcast. The hosts discuss the State Health Plan's new Lantern program and upcoming town halls, explore rising healthcare costs and competition, and debate Certificate of Need rules and public health responses.
They then interview SEANC General Treasurer Timothy Morgan about his 28 years in corrections, staffing and wage challenges, community outreach by districts, a...
In honor of Veterans Day, Secretary Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette, a third-generation veteran and head of the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, joins the podcast to discuss her journey from the Air Force Academy to public service, her current mission to make North Carolina truly the "most veteran-friendly state," and why she accepted the role.
She outlines her priorities — sector collaboration, transition suppo...
In this episode of The SEANC View, our team speaks with Thomas Friedman, executive administrator of the North Carolina State Health Plan, about the recently launched Lantern program. Lantern offers state employees and teachers access to free elective surgeries (orthopedics and bariatrics) with high-quality providers across the state, including travel and lodging coverage when needed.
They discuss how Lantern aims to reduce overall ...
This episode covers a fast legislative week in North Carolina: the controversial mid-cycle congressional map changes, a stalled budget fight over tax cuts and pay raises, and how the impasse affects state employees and retirees. We discuss DMV and efficiency committee hearings, the upcoming retirement system valuation, and encourage members to share short videos about how the budget delay impacts their lives.
Host Samantha Cline, Executive Director Ardis Watkins and Government Relations Director Suzanne Beasley break down recent health care developments: the public Duke–Aetna negotiation and its resolution, the new voluntary Lantern network, and the UNC–Humana dispute.
The episode also covers retiree system updates and transparency concerns around investments and contracts, a federal appellate ruling on gender-affirming care coverage, t...
This week, State Treasurer Brad Briner visited The SEANC View Podcast for an extensive interview covering everything from the status of the State Health Plan to the prospect of cost-of-living adjustments for retirees.
In the last few weeks, Briner’s office has been on quite a roll. On Tuesday, he announced a significant agreement with CVS Caremark that has ended a long-standing dispute and is expected to bring savings to Plan membe...
This week, we headed west for The SEANC View podcast, travelling to Cullowhee to interview Western Carolina University Chancellor Kelli Brown and employees. In August, Forbes Magazine named the university the third-best mid-sized workplace in the nation and the best in North Carolina.
WCU was also the highest-ranked education employer in the nation.
Partnering with market research firm Statista, Forbes surveyed more than 217,000 an...
SEANC's new statewide officers join the podcast this week to talk about their upcoming term, which starts on Oct. 1. Incoming President Wendell Powell, First Vice President Emily Jones, and Second Vice President Stacie Crabtree discuss priorities such as member advocacy, unity, retiree support, and worker safety.
We also review the legislature’s dramatic two-day session, which included debates on Iryna’s Law, mental health services...
Hosts Jonathan Owens and Ardis Watkins unpack the Duke–Aetna contract dispute, explaining how secret hospital reimbursements affect State Health Plan members and push up premiums, and why members should urge State Treasurer Brad Briner and state lawmakers to demand transparency.
The episode also previews the General Assembly’s return and the criminal justice measures under consideration, from magistrate authority to renewed debate ...
This week's episode of The SEANC View Podcast explores several current events, including the stabbing on a light-rail train in Charlotte that made national headlines. Our team discusses calls from state employees for better mental health services at our prisons, more facilities to deal with the growing need for mental health services, and other facets of the debate.
We discuss the anniversary of 9/11, the murder of political activi...
Coming to you live from the 41st annual SEANC Convention in Greensboro, our team discusses Governor Josh Stein's fiery speech and updates from state leaders on health, employment, and retirement issues.
More than 800 delegates are gathering this weekend to conduct the association's business, celebrating the convention's Ohana theme of Strength in Unity.
The SEANC team interview State Auditor Dave Bullock about accountability, the DAVE Act, the DMV audit, technology and contract oversight, and what it all means for state employees
We also preview next week's SEANC Convention, check in on Gen Z spending habits, and more.
Following the State Health Plan Board of Trustees' decision last week to increase premiums for most state employees and retirees, SEANC members have reached out with many questions. State Health Plan Executive Administrator Thomas Friedman revisited The SEANC View Podcast this week to answer them.
In an extended interview following up on his appearance last month, Friedman addressed everything from the fairness of the new tiered s...
The State Health Plan Board of Trustees voted today to increase premiums for most state employees and retirees for the first time in eight years.
The increases will take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. The plan consists of a tiered structure for the increases, with higher-paid employees paying more monthly than lower-paid employees. For some, the increase will be as low as $15 per month, while those making over $90,000 could see their pre...
Welcome to the SEANC View podcast, where host Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins, and Sam Cline discuss the pressing issues facing state employees and public services. Focusing on the recent mini budget, they discuss the fiscal challenges and political dynamics affecting funding for state employees and retirees.
The podcast also highlights State Auditor Dave Bullock's recent audit of the DMV. The audit reveals long-standing staffing and...
In this episode of the SEANC View podcast, Samantha Cline takes the helm as host, joined by Executive Director Ardis Watkins, Government Relations Director Suzanne Beasley, and special guest SEANC Public Schools Liaison Brad Langhans. The team dives into the intricacies of school funding and the legislative sessions affecting all state employees.
We highlight the absence of across-the-board pay increases for state employees and add...
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 experiences have shaped her perspe...
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-living adjustments, given the recent ne...
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 some state services.
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