The SEANC View

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, 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 of recent federal legislation on the...

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 strategies to make healthcare more...

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-Chapel Hill.

Finally, we take a lig...

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 a deal is reached. House Speaker D...

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 served the state. We explore the reason...

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...