Scoop March 2011

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

Legislative Update Legislators are looking to pass House Bill 161, which would move governance of the State Health Plan to the Department of the State Treasurer.

SEANC Lobbyist Ardis Watkins spoke in favor of HB 161, saying "The 55,000 members of our association think moving the governance of the State Health Plan out of the legislature is long overdue." For more on this and the Balanced Budget Act, see the Legislative Update.

"Take Pride in Carolina" Campaign In response to the Governor's proposed budget cuts, we're launching the "Take Pride in Carolina" campaign to protect you. The campaign will feature a full media and social media program. Your support is crucial as we begin to fight for our rights. Look for our official launch soon, and in the meantime, follow us on Twitter and "Like" us on Facebook.

Save the American Dream Rally More than 500 N.C. citizens stood in support of Wisconsin workers and labor rights at the "Save the American Dream Rally" at the N.C. Capitol on Feb. 26. Speakers included SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope, District 19 Chairwoman Angela Lyght, District 47 Chairwoman Doranna Anderson and District 41 Chairman Mike Gould.

Listen to all of the speeches on the SEANC YouTube channel and check out media coverage of the rally on the SEANC in the News page.

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SEANC Warriors: Meet at the General Assembly lobby at 6:30 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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SEANC in the News In addition to extensive coverage of the "Save the American Dream Rally", SEANC was featured in another media story about the pitfalls of IT privatization. District 38 member Lynn McGarrah said in an NBC 17 interview "We may not be lawmakers, but we are IT people. We are professionals and we want what’s best for the state." She pointed out that IT privatization efforts have failed miserably in other states, including Indiana, Texas and Virginia.

Member Discount Getting impatient for warm weather? With March specials available from Executive Tour and Travel Services, now is a great time to book a tropical vacation! Members can save on cruises, trips to Florida and flights to Puerto Rico. See the Featured Discounts page for more details.

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

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop March 11, 2011

Legislative Update You didn’t have to be at Mardi Gras this week to see a wild show. Politicians in Raleigh put on quite a display! Gov. Bev Perdue is growing fonder by the day of her veto stamp and Republicans who control the legislature are digging in their heels on their priorities. The political tug‐of‐war is on!

Read the Legislative Update for more information.

"Take Pride in Carolina" by Attending Eastern Lobby Day Next Week!

Lobby season is upon us, kicking off next Wednesday, March 16 with the Eastern Lobby Day event at the General Assembly. This will be followed by Central Lobby Day on March 23 and Western Lobby Day on March 30. Follow the links to register to participate! Now is the time to let legislators know that the services state employees provide are what makes our state great!

New House Rep. Joins SEANC Family

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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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On Tuesday, Member Action Director Lynn Cote recruited Rep. Stephen LaRoque, a Republican House member representing Greene, Lenoir and Wayne counties, into the SEANC family. Welcome Rep. LaRoque to SEANC and District 70!

Member Discount Are you ready for some…indoor football?! Now is your chance to experience the action of Charlotte’s Carolina Speed at a low price. SEANC members ordering for groups of 10 or more get discounted prices and group recognition during the game! See the Featured Discounts page for more details.

SEANC Hot Spots: Legislative Update Benefits Bulletin Member Discounts

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop Legislative Update March Madness isn’t just on the court this week, it’s also in the legislature. Read this week’s Legislative Update.

March 18, 2011 "Take Pride in Carolina" Mobile Sign Up: Text TPIC to 68753 Lobby Day Events and Hometown Rallies:

SEANC in the News SEANC Legislative Affairs Director Ardis Watkins was quoted in a News & Observer story on Wednesday about a bill that would open public employees’ personnel files to public inspection.

Watkins fought for your Constitutional rights and spoke out against the bill, saying "I’m sort of shocked that anybody in the legislature would want to open the state up to this kind of potential liability."

Eastern Lobby Day is a Success!

On Wednesday, a large group of SEANC members marched into the General Assembly for Eastern Lobby Day. Meetings with legislators took place all morning to talk about passing a common-sense budget that maintains quality public services.

Central and Western members, you’re up next!

Sign up for Central Lobby Day on March 23 or Western Lobby Day on March 30.

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

Quick Links:

"Take Pride in Carolina" in Full Force The "Take Pride In Carolina" campaign continues to work toward protecting quality public services and the hardworking men and women who provide them by launching a website, Facebook profile, Twitter feed and text message alerts. Be sure to check out these ways to stay involved as we demonstrate that legislators can make government smarter by passing SEANC’s $10 billion in budget recommendations.

Member Discount Kick off the spring season by becoming an AAA member at a low price! SEANC members receive $10 off first-time enrollment. If you are already an AAA member, you can receive $10 off gift memberships for family and friends. See the Featured Discounts page for the order form.

SEANC Hot Spots: Legislative Update Benefits Bulletin Member Discounts SEANC in the News SEANC Insurance Update Your Contact Info Calendar of Events

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop Legislative Update Senate Bill 265 was under consideration this week. The bill would allow SEANC to accomplish members’ number one legislative priority for this session – the need to move oversight of the State Health Plan away from the legislature.

Unfortunately, the North Carolina Association of Educators is trying to use SEANC as a pawn in an attempt to attack Senate leadership. Read more in this week’s legislative update.

SEANC Defends UNC Employees' SPA Rights UNC General Administration is proposing to strip State Personnel Act (SPA) status, along with its employment rights and protections, from 22,000 employees in the UNC system. SEANC Chief of Staff/General Counsel Tom Harris explains why this proposal, if enacted by the legislature, would return the UNC workforce to the dark ages of government employment and calls for its defeat in this article. Call your representatives in the General Assembly at 919-733-7928 and ask them to vote "no" to any legislation that removes SPA protections for state employees.

March 25, 2011 "Take Pride in Carolina" Mobile Sign Up: Text TPIC to 68753 Lobby Day Events and Hometown Rallies: Western Lobby Day: March 30 Western Rally, Morganton: April 9 Eastern Rally, Greenville: April 16 Central Rally, Raleigh: April 30

Quick Links:

Central Lobby Day is a Success!

On Wednesday, a large group of SEANC members marched into the General Assembly for Central Lobby Day. Meetings with legislators took place all morning to talk about passing a common-sense budget that maintains quality public services. Now it's your turn, Western members! Sign up for Western Lobby Day on March 30.

Governor Purdue to Announce Government Restructuring Plans Gov. Bev Purdue is issuing an order today to merge 14 high-level state functions into eight in order to restructure state government and deal with the budget deficit. State employees rather see the governor use smarter solutions in "Take

SEANC Hot Spots: Legislative Update Benefits Bulletin

Pride in Carolina" budget report, which contains over $10 billion in savings that protect public services and the jobs of those who provide them.

SEANC in the News This week, SEANC Legislative Affairs Director Ardis Watkins commented on Senate Bill 265 in a WRALTV story. The bill would transfer governance of the State Health Plan (SHP) to the State Treasurer. Watkins said "What this bill does do…is every piece of reform we feel is absolutely necessary." SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope also spoke out this week about reforming the SHP in an interview with Bill Lumaye on 680 WPTF-AM.

Can We Come For a Visit?

Would your work site or agency benefit from having a special update and discussion about what’s going on in the General Assembly? Do you need someone to come and speak with staff about special SEANC projects or initiatives? Are your co-workers in need of more information about insurance, retiree benefits and scholarship programs? Contact SEANC today to invite a member action coordinator to visit. You can arrange for this by reaching out to Member Action Director Lynn Cote at 800-222-2758 or lcote@seanc.org.

Member Discount Are you itching to get amusement park tickets early?

SEANC members can now purchase Kings Dominion and Carowinds tickets at a low price before they go on sale at the State Employees’ Credit Union. Tickets must be purchased online and the order is only good for visits on April 2, 3, 9 and 10. See the Featured Discounts page for more information. copy;Copyright 2009 All Rights Reserved. Sample Non-Profit

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