State budget passes, but state employees and retirees deserve better

The SEANC View · Jul 3, 2026 · 37m · transcript

This week, we break down the newly passed state budget: modest 3% raises for most state employees, targeted larger increases for law enforcement and corrections, bonuses for workers and retirees, and concerns about cuts and hundreds of vacant positions.

The episode discusses rising state health plan costs, the $1 billion left unappropriated (and speculation about public funding for a sports team), member outrage, and the importance of voting and civic involvement ahead of the November election.