Scoop February 2011

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop February 4, 2011

Legislative Update Senate Bill 13 advances to help close the budget deficit with corporate welfare funds. Speaking in committee in support of the bill, Legislative Affairs Director Ardis Watkins said, "State jobs are jobs too. It's time for state politicians to stop looking at state employees to bear the brunt of a budget crisis they did not create." See the Legislative Update for more details.

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SEANC in the News Kudos to District 22 member Bonnie Johnson and District 47 member Doranna Anderson for representing state employees in the media this week. Johnson emphasized the importance of dental services for the children she treats and Anderson argued that tax codes and corporate loopholes should be looked at before public services are cut. "State employees can be an easy target, but I think we need to look at the whole picture," Anderson said in a WRAL-TV interview.

Down With Privatization! Part II District 38 member Lynn McGarrah previewed the pitfalls of IT privatization in the News & Observer on Thursday. She contended that IT privatization efforts have failed miserably in other states and that such a strategy would make taxpayers’ private information more vulnerable. Check it out here.

No Layoffs!

Several articles that appeared in the News & Observer this week talked about the miniscule savings that would be generated from state employee layoffs. One article reported that firstyear savings from cutting a state employee would be less than $19,000, doing little to fill the projected $3.7 billion budget deficit. We completely agree with an N&O editorial that stated "North Carolina's budget gap can't reasonably be closed by giving its employees the boot."

Member Discount Looking for a nice getaway from this freezing weather? Executive Tour and Travel Services is offering specials on trips to the Bahamas, Cancun and Las Vegas! Members must use the ID number provided. See the Featured Discounts page for more details.

SEANC Hot Spots: Legislative Update Benefits Bulletin Member Discounts SEANC in the News SEANC Insurance Update Your Contact Info Calendar of Events www.seanc.org 800-222-2758

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop February 11, 2011 Legislative Update Senate Bill 13, an effort to help close the budget deficit with corporate welfare funds, passed the N.C. House this week and has been forwarded to Gov. Perdue. Speaking on the House floor in support of this bill, Legislative Affairs Director Ardis Watkins said, "It's time the legislature look somewhere other than just at state employees and retirees to solve a budget crisis we did not create." See the Legislative Update for more details.

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"Take Pride in Carolina" SEANC will hold a press conference in front of the General Assembly next week that will release "Take Pride in Carolina." This report contains SEANC members' Save Our State ideas to close the budget deficit and protect quality public services and the people who provide them. Options that will be presented include strategies to expand the revenue base, eliminate corporate tax loopholes and stop corporate welfare.

Perdue to Release Budget Gov. Bev Perdue will give her State of the State address to legislators on Monday at 7 p.m. and then release her budget proposal later in the week. It’s time to see if she has opted to side with working families over wealthy corporations!

SEANC Hot Spots: Legislative Update Benefits Bulletin Member Discounts SEANC in the News SEANC Insurance Update Your Contact Info Calendar of Events www.seanc.org 800-222-2758

SEANC in the News On Tuesday, an editorial was published in the News & Observer that argued against legislators adopting a defined contribution retirement plan for state workers. Executive Director Dana Cope responded in a letter to the editor that was published on Thursday. He emphasized what you already know, that state employees are the primary contributors to their own retirement fund!

Join the SEANC Warriors!

SEANC members, you’re encouraged to come out and share your stories with legislators on Monday evening. Please meet us at 5 p.m. at the General Assembly, located at 16 West Jones Street in Raleigh. Your voice plays a powerful role in protecting quality services and the people who provide them. Jobs and benefits may be on the line, so your presence by our side is critical. For more information, contact Tony Booe at 800-222-2758.

Visit Biltmore Estate!

Now you can check out America’s largest home at a low price! Member discounts last until April 1 and children 16 years and under are admitted for free with a paying adult. Contact Renee Vaughan at 800-222-2758 or see the flier for more details.

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop February 18, 2011 Legislative Update During an incredibly busy week in the N.C. General Assembly, SEANC held a press conference Tuesday morning to unveil the "Take Pride in Carolina" report containing over $10 billion in budget-saving answers that do not cut a single state job. When Gov. Perdue released her budget recommendations on Thursday however, it was clear that she is unprepared for the taxpayer and state employee scorn coming her way. See the Legislative Update for more details.

"Take Pride in Carolina" On Tuesday, SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope and members gathered in front of the General Assembly to release "Take Pride in Carolina," a report of strategies to close the state budget gap and protect quality public services and the people who provide them. The press conference attracted a large media presence and more than 40 SEANC members stood in support. Click here to listen to Cope’s speech.

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Lobby Day Events and Hometown Rallies: Eastern Lobby Day: March 16 Central Lobby Day: March 23 Western Lobby Day: March 30 Western Rally, Morganton: April 9 Eastern Rally, Greenville: April 16 Central Rally, Raleigh: April 30

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Perdue Releases Budget Recommendations On Thursday Gov. Bev Perdue decided to balance the budget by throwing taxpayer money at wealthy corporations while cutting state jobs. It is now more important than ever to let legislators know about the public services you provide. Read the SEANC response to Perdue’s recommendations here, and become more active by registering for a Lobby Day event or Hometown Rally. See the sidebar for dates and registration.

SEANC in the News Executive Director Dana Cope will talk more of SEANC’s reaction to the governor’s budget recommendations on the show "People & Politics with Donna Martinez" this Sunday at 5 p.m. on WPTF 680 AM in the Triangle, or live at that time at www.wptf.com. Cope also stood up for quality public services and state employees this week on WRAL-TV, the News & Observer, News 14 Carolina and ABC11.

Member Discount - Shop For Less!

Are you searching for a retail store with great values? SEANC members can sign up for membership discounts at BJs Wholesale Club! Save $10 and receive two months free when you sign up for their annual membership. Details are available on the SEANC Featured Discounts page.

SEANC Hot Spots: Legislative Update Benefits Bulletin Member Discounts SEANC in the News SEANC Insurance Update Your Contact Info Calendar of Events www.seanc.org 800-222-2758

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop February 25, 2011 Join "Rally to Save the American Dream" Tomorrow!

Stand in solidarity with Wisconsin workers at the "Rally to Save the American Dream!" It takes place tomorrow at noon at the concrete pad on the south side of the N.C. State Capitol, at the corner of Morgan and Fayetteville streets in Raleigh. It will feature SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope as a speaker and will call for state and federal governments to maintain the American way by treating employees with dignity and respect. Click here to sign up!

Legislative Update After days of letting everyone guess what she would do, Gov. Perdue vetoed Senate Bill 13 earlier this week – once again favoring corporate welfare over working families. The bill was designed to save more than half a billion dollars of funds and reduce the possibility of state employee job cuts. SEANC will continue to push lawmakers to do the right thing for the state of North Carolina. See the Legislative Update more details.

SEANC in the News Check out SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope on the News 14 Carolina show "Political Connections," which airs Friday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m.

SEANC was also featured this week in an ABC11 story about Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina draining taxpayers’ money through its secret no-bid contract for the State Health Plan.

Cope argued that the state contract is "not a good deal for public employees, and it’s not a good deal for taxpayers. It’s only a good deal for Blue Cross Blue Shield."

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SEANC Warriors: Meet at the General Assembly lobby at 6:15 p.m. on Monday Lobby Day Events and Hometown Rallies: Eastern Lobby Day: March 16 Central Lobby Day: March 23 Western Lobby Day: March 30 Western Rally, Morganton: April 9 Eastern Rally, Greenville: April 16 Central Rally, Raleigh: April 30

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Member Discount - Hockey Style!

Come out to "SEANC Night" at the RBC Center and see Southern hockey at its finest! Members can save on tickets for the March 26 game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Offer lasts until March 11, click here to order tickets (enter the promo code "SEANC" for your discount).

SEANC Hot Spots: Legislative Update Benefits Bulletin Member Discounts SEANC in the News