DROWNING IN CASH
State leaders hold huge revenue surpluses but can't agree on budget priorities
The legislature adjourned again this week with no state budget in sight. The House will begin formal Appropriations meetings next week with the goal of putting together its own budget, while the Senate has started chatter of mini budgets.
With the state drowning in cash from both a $4 billion revenue surplus and federal COVID relief funds, we're looking for a real budget this session that includes meaningful pay increases for all state employees and retirees – especially those at the UNC System, community colleges, and public schools who haven’t seen a raise in three years
State leaders must also repay the State Health Plan more than $72 million it spent on COVID-related treatments and testing, which allowed the state to secure eligibility for $3 6 billion in federal relief funds
On Feb 11, the State Treasurer wrote a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee requesting reimbursement to the State Health Plan for the $72 million spent in 2020 on COVID-related expenses. He explained that the net impact of the fiscal year appropriation cut of $99 million becomes a $253 million negative impact to the Plan because the Plan operates on a calendar year
SEANC is being reminded regularly that there is an abundance of one-time (non-recurring) funds, so it seems like the easy fix to the State Health Plan funding issue would be to use the one-time money to pay back the Plan.
Lawmakers have pointed out that the State Health Plan has a surplus and maybe the reimbursement is not necessary The SHP Board of Trustees unanimously voted to “do the right thing” and use the Plan’s funds in order for the state to become eligible for $3 6 billion in federal relief funding It is now time for the General Assembly to “do the right thing” and reimburse the State Health Plan using the non-recurring cash it has on hand
The vigilance on the SHP’s budget by the State Treasurer’s Office should not be in vain. We don’t know what the future holds and with impending economic corrections, it is fiscally responsible for the state to replenish the State Health Plan
SEANC Director of Government Relations Suzanne Beasley and Lobbyist Flint Benson break down the budget talks and look at other bills in this week’s Legislative Update
SEANC is once again offering awesome deals on theme park tickets! This year it’s even easier to buy tickets to the top parks in North and South Carolina, and Virginia
More parks will be added in the coming weeks. For now, get great prices at Carowinds, King’s Dominion, Wet ‘n Wild Emerald Pointe, Tweetsie Railroad, and more
Just visitseanc.org/themeparks to purchase these deals online!
SEANC returning for encore at the Bicentennial Mall!
Our event last week at the Bicentennial Mall in Raleigh was such a success, we're going back for more! SEANC will return on June 16 from 10 a m -2 p m for another employee appreciation event, complete with Chick-fil-A lunches, while supplies last!
We’re also making plans for other events around the state. If you would like a visit to your worksite, let us know!
Purchase tickets
SEANC AWARDS NOMINATIONS DEADLINE,
JULY 24
Each year SEANC seeks to recognize those members who have gone above and beyond in their dedication to the association and its efforts. The people who know best who are deserving of awards are those who work alongside them every day on the district level That's why we need you to send in your nominations now. The
deadline is July 24 at 5 p.m.
The four award categories are Member of the Year, District Chairperson of the Year, Distinguished Service and District of the Year Go to seanc.org/awards for more information and access to the nomination forms.
Insurance
Win a new Sonicare toothbrush with SEANC Dental Insurance!
Did you know that SEANC's Dental Insurance plans are among the most competitive available? The plans through United Healthcare include an annual deductible from $25 to $50 and preventative care is 100% covered with no deductible for two visits per year
Rates start at just $23 21 per month for the member standard option, and once the plan is in effect, there are no waiting periods!
Sign up today by clicking below. And as an added bonus for the month of June, anyone who contacts the SEANC office to inquire about our dental insurance will be entered into a drawing for a new Sonicare toothbrush (a $109 value)!
Benefits
Get ADT home security today for less than $1 a day*. PLUS get a $100 ADT Visa® Reward Card as a BONUS.
$100 ADT Visa Reward Card: Requires 36-month monitoring contract starting at $28 99/mo
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Recruit & Win!
The SEANC member who recruits the most new businesses for member discounts between May 24 - August 27, 2021 will win a $100 Visa Gift Card
Send the completed Discount Agreement form to Attn: Felicia Grimes, 1621 Midtown Pl, Raleigh, NC 27609 or email fgrimes@seanc org no later than August 27
Tweet of the Week
The press association failed in its first attempt to pass harmful language when Senate Bill 355 did not meet the crossover deadline However, House Bill 64, a bill that was originally filed to add members to the NC Works Commission, has been gutted and its language replaced It passed the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee this week and has been calendared for a floor vote in the Senate on Monday.
SEANC's Government Relations team discusses House Bill 64 and the state budget in this week's Legislative Update above
This bill would allow ANYONE access to the most damaging part of an employee’s personnel file, specifically any comments from supervisors about disciplinary actions It puts the burden on the employee to fight against unfounded allegations which require legal resources, money and the wherewithal to get through the process Click here to tell your senators to vote NO on H64.
SEANC kicks off its Summer Tour next week with a return to Bicentennial Mall in Raleigh on Wednesday, June 16, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Lunch from Chick-fil-A will be served while supplies last!
We’re planning to visit several worksites this Summer, and are always looking to add to the list as well If you would like a visit to your worksite, let us know!
SEANC AWARDS NOMINATIONS DEADLINE,
JULY 24
Each year SEANC seeks to recognize those members who have gone above and beyond in their dedication to the association and its efforts. The
people who know best who are deserving of awards are those who work alongside them every day on the district level That's why we need you to send in your nominations now. The deadline is July 24 at 5 p m
The four award categories are Member of the Year, District Chairperson of the Year, Distinguished Service and District of the Year Go to seanc.org/awards for more information and access to the nomination forms.
Insurance
Win a new Sonicare toothbrush with SEANC Dental Insurance!
Did you know that SEANC's Dental Insurance plans are among the most competitive available? The plans through United Healthcare include an annual deductible from $25 to $50 and preventative care is 100% covered with no deductible for two visits per year
Rates start at just $23 21 per month for the member standard option, and once the plan is in effect, there are no waiting periods!
Sign up today by clicking below. And as an added
anyone who contacts the SEANC office to inquire about our dental insurance will be entered into a drawing for a new Sonicare toothbrush (a $109 value)! Learn More
Benefits
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Public employees' privacy is Public employees' privacy is preserved preserved
June 18, 2021
This week the House voted not to concur with the Senate on H64. H64 was the NC Press Association’s second attempt this year to make disciplinary records of public employees open to public scrutiny. SEANC battled in the Senate Judiciary and Senate Rules committees to stop the bill, but this past Monday night the full Senate passed H64, mostly along party lines. The bill was sent to the House for concurrence and the lobbying team immediately went to work lobbying representatives to vote against the bill. After the bill reached the House floor on Wednesday, the House voted unanimously NOT NOT to concur and the bill failed.
H243 contained language that would allow the UNC system to cut employee salaries. After sitting in conference committee for weeks, H243 has transformed into H602. Thanks to the lobbying efforts of SEANC, the harmful the harmful language to cut university employees’ pay has been language to cut university employees’ pay has been removed removed but the original provisions to address the early retirement incentive program, payment of the State Health Plan premiums for temporarily furloughed employees and onetime amendments to the General Fund were included in H602.
MEMBERSHIP
This week, SEANC staff and volunteers recruited 36 new members and served lunch to over 500 state employees at the Bicentennial Plaza on Wednesday in Raleigh. Thank you to all the members that assisted with the preparation of this event. We’re planning to visit several worksites this summer, and are always looking to add to the list as well.
If you would like to schedule a SEANC update or membership event with a free meal for your worksite, let us know let us know! !
• Recruiters receive $20 $20 for every new member recruited.
• The first 20 people to schedule an event will also receive $25 $25
• Send us the name and contact info for a possible new member. If they sign up, you get $20 $20.
• For every event you schedule, your name will be entered in a drawing to win a $250 reward. $250 reward.
• Recruiters receive $20 $20 for every new member recruited.
BENEFITS BENEFITS
SEANC offers three nationwide plans through Spectera that include eye exams, lenses, eyeglass frames and contact lenses. Click here to see the SEANC difference!
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Recruit & Win! Recruit & Win!
The SEANC member who recruits the most new businesses for member discounts between May 24 - August 27, 2021 will win a $100 Visa Gift Card.
Send the completed Discount Discount Agreement form Agreement form to Attn: Felicia Grimes, 1621 Midtown Pl, Raleigh, NC 27609 or email fgrimes@seanc.org no later than August 27.
Get a free gift valued over $60 with your first order
REMINDERS REMINDERS
SEANC Awards Nominations due July 24
SEANC Awards Nominations due July 24
Each year SEANC seeks to recognize those members who have gone above and beyond in their dedication to the association and its efforts. The people who know best who are deserving of awards are those who work alongside them every day on the district level. That's why we need you to send in your nominations now. The deadline is July 24 at 5 p.m. The four award categories are Member of the Year, District Chairperson of the Year, Distinguished Service and District of the Year.
LEARN MORE > LEARN MORE >
TWEET OF THE WEEK TWEET OF THE WEEK
Senate passes budget with pay Senate passes budget with pay
raise, no COLAs for retirees raise, no COLAs for retirees
June 25, 2021
The Senate passed its budget proposal this week that includes a pay raise and bonus for most employees and no cost-of-living adjustment or bonus for retirees.
The proposal includes:
3% over two years for most state employees, teachers, UNC and Community College staff
7% average increase for corrections officers and a new salary schedule
A minimum wage of $13 an hour for non-certified public-school employees and Community College employees
Employees earning less than $75,000 annually and all law enforcement, correctional officers and staff, and employees of 24-hour residential and treatment facilities would receive a $1,500 bonus
Employees earning more than $75,000 annually would receive a $1,000 bonus
No increase or bonus for retirees
The creation of a Department of Adult Correction to separate prison operations into its own cabinet-level agency
It's important to note that this is just one more step in the budget process. The House will release its own proposal in the coming weeks, and then the two chambers will negotiate a compromise through a conference committee.
VIEW THIS WEEK'S LEGISLATIVE
VIEW THIS WEEK'S LEGISLATIVE UPDATE>>
The state is drowning in cash, with more than $6 billion in one-time funding available. Now is not the time to be stingy. Some state employees haven't received a raise in two years, and retirees have waited even longer for a true COLA.
We need you to reach out to your House member to ask them to provide better, more meaningful raises and bonuses for all state employees and COLAs for retirees.
MEMBERSHIP
• Recruiters receive $20 $20 for every new member recruited.
• The first 20 people to schedule an event will also receive $25 $25
• Send us the name and contact info for a possible new member. If they sign up, you get $20 $20.
• For every event you schedule, your name will be entered in a drawing to win a $250 reward. $250 reward.
• Recruiters receive $20 $20 for every new member recruited.
If you would like to schedule a SEANC update or membership event with a free meal for your worksite, let us know let us know! !
BENEFITS BENEFITS
Are you prepared for the unexpected? Aflac BenExtend is a wide-ranging benefit plan, designed to help ease financial stress of critical illness, accident or hospital stay with benefits for you, spouse and/or children for:
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Aflac pays cash benefits directly to you, regardless of your health insurance coverage. This means that you will have added financial resources to help with medical costs or ongoing living expenses such as rent or mortgage, utility bills, groceries and more.
Recruit & Win! Recruit & Win!
The SEANC member who recruits the most new businesses for member discounts between May 24 - August 27, 2021 will win a $100 Visa Gift Card.
Send the completed Discount Discount Agreement form Agreement form to Attn: Felicia Grimes, 1621 Midtown Pl, Raleigh, NC 27609 or email fgrimes@seanc.org no later than August 27.
DISCOUNTS DISCOUNTS
Save up to 55% off movie tickets
Enjoy a night out at the movies at Regal Cinemas or AMC Theatres.
*Tickets can be purchased through a registered account at TicketsatWork.
SEANC members are eligible for a free account with TicketsatWork.
Login instructions are available on the SEANC discounts page SEANC discounts page.
REMINDERS REMINDERS
Each year SEANC seeks to recognize those members who have gone above and beyond in their dedication to the association and its efforts. The people who know best who are deserving of awards are those who work alongside them every day on the district level. That's why we need you to send in your nominations now. The deadline is July 24 at 5 p.m. The four award categories are Member of the Year, District Chairperson of the Year, Distinguished Service and District of the Year.
LEARN MORE > LEARN MORE >
TWEET OF THE WEEK TWEET OF THE WEEK
