Scoop February 2013

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop February 1, 2013 URGENT: Stand Up Against Tripling of State Health Plan Premiums!

State Treasurer Janet Cowell is trying to push a plan to more than triple premium costs for State Health Plan members through a quick board vote on Monday with little time for state employees to voice their concerns. The proposal, unveiled Thursday to legislative leaders and SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope would raise premiums, effective January 1, 2014, for those who elect the PPO 80/20 plan by adding surcharges for smoking, not designating a primary care provider and not completing a health assessment.

Surcharges are in addition to the current premium and increase annually, thus raising the total premium to more than $103 per month and more than $1,200 per year by 2016. Members are encouraged to call the State Treasurer at (919) 508-5158 to express their concerns.

Click here to read the February Reporter!

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Legislators Waste No Time This Week

As expected, legislators wasted no time in getting to work in the 2013 General Assembly session this week, addressing tax reform and unemployment insurance as two of their top priorities while filing many other bills in the first two days. Read more on the action-packed week in this week’s Legislative Update!

Save Time and Money When You File Taxes

Tax time is here again! This year, save time and money with the help of professionals at State Employees Credit Union. Once again, SECU is offering the no-cost IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and SECU’s own low cost tax preparation services. New this year, no appointment is necessary! For details, contact your local SECU branch.

What Would It Take To Get You Involved?

SEANC’s Member Action Department recruited 32 new members last week at worksites including the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, Foothills, Caledonia and Wayne Correctional Institutions, Halifax County Clerk of Court, IT Services, Scotland County Department of Transportation, Lenoir County Community College, Harnett County Clerk of Court and Mayland Community College. What would it take for you to be more active in SEANC? Send your ideas to SEANC Member Action Director Lynn Cote.

SEANC Hot Spots:

Member Discounts SEANC in the News SEANC Insurance Update Your Contact Info Calendar of Events www.seanc.org 800-222-2758

Member Discount: Georgia Aquarium

During Imagination Days, you have the exclusive opportunity to enjoy Georgia Aquarium at a total ticket price not available anywhere else. Marvel at all six galleries in addition to “Frogs: A Chorus of Colors,” the spectacular live AT&T Dolphin Tales show and Deepo’s Undersea 3D Wondershow. You must purchase and redeem tickets before Feb. 28. Tickets are valid for admission Monday through Thursday only. Click here for details.

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop February 8, 2013 Legislators Focus on Unemployment, Medicaid in Session's Second Week

Much of the work in the second full week of the 2013 General Assembly session focused on unemployment and Medicaid reforms. SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope continued to meet with legislative leaders on issues important to state workers. Read more on the week's activities in this week's Legislative Update.

Click here to read the February Reporter!

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SEANC In the News

SEANC Legislative Affairs Director Ardis Watkins stood up for state workers at the State Health Plan Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, where the board approved a plan to add surcharges that could add as much as $40 to monthly premiums. While other groups like the North Carolina Association of Educators applauded the plan, Watkins objected to the timing of the vote, which was taken just two business days after the proposal was made public. She also called the extra monthly cost "a huge stick you're trying to disguise as a carrot," adding, "We're already not doing right by our employees and this will be doing worst. You can call it a premium. You can call it a surcharge. It's money out of folks' pockets that they have to jump through hoops to get back. That's flat out wrong."

What Would It Take To Get You Involved?

SEANC’s Member Action Department signed up 56 new members recently at 11 worksites around the state, including UNC-Chapel Hill School of Law, N.C. A&T State University, Duplin County Department of Public Safety, Mecklenburg County Probation and Parole, Salemburg Justice Academy, Wake County Department of Transportation, Pitt County Office of Staff Development & Training, Cherry Hospital, Robeson County Vocational Rehabilitation and Craven Correctional Institution. What would it take for you to be more active in SEANC? Send your ideas to SEANC Member Action Director Lynn Cote.

Member Discount: Valentine's Day

Still need some flowers for Valentine's Day? Let SEANC help you make your sweetie smile and get a deal at the same time! Click here and save 20% on flowers and gifts using the promo code NC15 with 1-800-Flowers.

SEANC Hot Spots:

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 15, 2013 Unemployment, Medicaid bills move through General Assembly

The General Assembly continued to focus on unemployment and Medicaid in the third full week of the legislature. A bill prohibiting Medicaid expansion passed the House and has moved to the Senate for concurrence, while a bill on unemployment benefits reform passed both houses and has been sent to Gov. McCrory. Read more about the week in the Legislative Update.

Click here to read the February Reporter!

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SEANC Board of Governors meeting today

SEANC’s Board of Governors is meeting today and Saturday in Raleigh. The board, made up of 52 district chairpersons from around the state as well as five statewide officers, will hear presentations from the staff on the State Health Plan, the legislature and other topics important to state workers. They will also make decisions on the direction of the association for the year in keeping with the priorities set forth at the 2012 convention.

What Would It Take To Get You Involved?

SEANC’s Member Action Department recruited 35 new members in the last week from work sites all over the state, including Scotland County Probation and Parole, Albemarle, Craven, Lanesboro, Lumberton and Pamlico correctional institutions, Western Youth Institution, Columbus County Clerk of Court, Lake Waccamaw State Park, New River State Park, the N.C. Community College Systems and Rockingham County DMV. What would it take for you to be more active in SEANC? Send your ideas to SEANC Member Action Director Lynn Cote.

Member Discount: Harlem Globetrotters

Save $7 per ticket as The Original Harlem Globetrotters return to PNC on March 1 for one night only as part of their 2013 World Tour! But hurry, because the deadline to order is February 25. Click here for more.

SEANC Hot Spots:

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 22, 2013 Security Breach at Treasurer's Office

State retirees got more bad news out of the State Treasurer’s office last week when the Retirement Services Division sent out letters informing them that their Social Security numbers may have been compromised. More than 26,000 retirees may be susceptible to identity fraud after an error in tax form mailings allowed the whole world to see private information. If you feel you have been a victim of identity fraud because of this breach, contact the Treasurer’s office at 1(877)733-4191. Also, be sure to check out identity theft coverage from SEANC’s Insurance Department.

Click here to read the February Reporter!

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McCrory Delivers State of the State

Gov. Pat McCrory laid out his plan for the state this week in his first State of the State address, calling for improvements in government efficiencies as a top priority, while legislators committees continued to look over the budget. Read more on the week in this week’s Legislative Update!

Get Money for Saving Money

Let SEANC know how much money you save during the month of March utilizing the discounts you get as a SEANC member. The member who saves the most will receive a $50 Visa gift card and will be featured in SEANC’s publications! All other entries will be entered in a drawing to receive a $25 Visa gift card. Click here for details. Start saving today by checking out SEANC’s Featured Discounts and SEANC’s Perks Network discounts!

More State Workers Turn to SEANC

SEANC’s Member Action Department recruited 31 new members in the last week from work sites all over the state, including the Department of Agriculture, Pamlico County Clerk of Court, Orange and Cumberland County school district, Sampson and Pamlico correctional institutions, Dan River Prison Work Farm, the Caswell Developmental Center, East Carolina University and Department of Revenue offices in Nash and Edgecombe counties. If you would like for a SEANC Member Action Coordinator to visit your work site, contact Member Action Director Lynn Cote.

SEANC Hot Spots:

Member Discounts SEANC in the News SEANC Insurance Update Your Contact Info Calendar of Events www.seanc.org 800-222-2758

Member Discount: Charlotte Bobcats

SEANC members receive discounts to games featuring the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats as well as The Original Harlem Globetrotters at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte!