Shows / The SEANC View
The SEANC View
Examining the issues and topics concerning public employees and retirees in North Carolina. SEANC is the South’s leading state employee association, with 46,000 members in all 100 counties in North Carolina.
Episodes
The SEANC ViewOdd Couple, United: A Republican and Democrat Sound the Alarm on NC Tax Amendments
In this episode, hosts Samantha Cline, Ardis Watkins and Suzanne Beasley sit down with former Representative Paul "Skip" Stam and Senator Graig Meyer to…
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A Close Look at NC Public Safety with Interim Secretary Casandra Hoekstra
Hosts Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins and Samantha Cline are joined this week by Department of Public Safety Interim Secretary Casandra Hoekstra for an in-depth…
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State Health Plan Shakeup: Atrium Moved Out — What It Means for You
Thomas Friedman of the State Health Plan joins us to talk about why some Atrium facilities will be out-of-network for 2027, and how it will affect members and…
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Atrium’s “Affordability Protection” Exposed, and the State Fair is Coming
This week we discuss Atrium’s new “Affordability Protection Program,” which lowers out-of-pocket costs for members who stay with its doctors and hospitals…
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EMPAC Passes on Incumbent Races — Inside the Decision
On this episode, SEANC Political Strategist Flint Benson and EMPAC Statewide Chair Junior Hulen explain how SEANC’s member-driven political arm (EMPAC) makes…
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WakeMed-Atrium Merger Clears Commissioner Vote
On Monday, the Wake County Board of Commissioners voted 5–2 to advance parts of the WakeMed–Atrium merger after weeks of secret meetings, a large public rally…
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State Health Plan reaches deal, WakeMed merger vote Monday
Hosts recap the convention highlights, a new agreement allowing select Atrium hospitals into the State Health Plan access tier, and concerns about coverage and…
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SEANC Convention Live: Excellence in Action!
The SEANC View team records live from Greensboro at the 42nd Annual Scenic Convention, introducing speakers and previewing the packed agenda, including…
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WakeMed-Atrium vote looms as Convention week arrives
Hosts Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins, Suzanne Beasley and Samantha Cline rush through a packed episode ahead of the convention, leading with the big…
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Gov. Stein weighs in on WakeMed/Atrium merger
We open by reacting to Dolly Parton’s death, her impact as a songwriter, and calls to donate to the Imagination Library. Then turn to the WakeMed–Atrium…
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Big changes are coming to the state's HR law
This week, we sit down with State Human Resources Director Staci Meyer to unpack the Public Workforce Modernization Act, the most comprehensive update of the…
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Atrium Takeover of WakeMed Sparks Community Outcry
The proposed Atrium–WakeMed merger has sparked serious concern among Raleigh residents and the 748,000 state employees and retirees covered by the State Health…
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Retirement system makes huge gains, so where are the COLAs?
North Carolina's pension fund had a strong year. The fund earned an estimated $17 billion and returned 12.4% for the year ending June 30. So why aren't…
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Dolly Parton's library gets funding, and the State Health Plan meets with Atrium
This episode covers the legislature's return and the 51-page Technical Corrections Bill that restored funding for some departments, extended Dolly Parton’s…
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Inside the State Health Plan's fight for lower costs
This episode of The SEANC View podcast discussed the new tier system of the State Health Plan, highlighting the controversy surrounding the exclusion of Atrium…
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State Health Plan Shakeup: Premium Increase, Provider Tiers, and Blue Cross’s Return
State Treasurer Brad Briner and Plan Executive Administrator Thomas Friedman join us this week to recap the State Health Plan Board of Trustees meeting and…
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Signed Budget, Small Raises: Why State Employees Are Angry
Hosts break down the newly signed state budget — what the 3% raise really means, why raises and bonuses are delayed, and how step pay plans affect probation…
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State budget passes, but state employees and retirees deserve better
This week, we break down the newly passed state budget: modest 3% raises for most state employees, targeted larger increases for law enforcement and…
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Why Health Care Costs So Much: Dr. Brian Miller on Hospital Mergers and State Health Plan Solutions
In this episode, Dr. Brian Miller — hospitalist, policy advisor, and vice chair of the North Carolina State Health Plan Board — explores why health care is so…
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$148.3B and Counting: Treasurer Briner on AI, Timber Troubles, and the Hurricanes
State Treasurer Brad Briner joins the SEANC View podcast to explain how the pension reached a record $148.3 billion, discuss recent investment moves, including…
The SEANC ViewStanley Cup Frenzy, Budget Blues, and the Atrium–WakeMed Showdown
This week, we start with Raleigh's Stanley Cup fever before diving into state politics and budget delays that are stalling lawmakers. The episode examines…
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Staffing challenges, budget talks and 'Pension Fight Club'
Hosts Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins, Suzanne Beasley, and Sammy Cline discuss the latest on the state budget, workforce reforms, and staffing challenges across…
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Correctional Pay Crisis & Budget Gridlock: Who’s Left Holding the Tab?
Hosts dive into North Carolina’s budget stalemate, including the controversy over large raises for correctional officers and the resulting wage compression and…
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Budget Raises, Tax Amendment, and the Craggy Closure
Hosts Jonathan Owens and Suzanne Beasley break down the latest at the legislature, including proposed budget raises, a looming income tax constitutional…
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Raises, Bonuses, and the Fight for Jobs
Hosts Jonathan Owens, Suzanne Beasley, Artis Watkins, and Samantha Cline and special guest Wendell Powell break down the legislature's new budget framework —…
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Health Care Shakeup: Atrium-WakeMed Merger Sparks Statewide Outcry
This episode examines the controversial Atrium-WakeMed merger, the Wake County commissioners' 90-day pause, and concerns from state leaders that hospital…
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Sec. of State Elaine Marshall: Staffing Shortages Threaten North Carolina Services
Hosts Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins, and Samantha Cline discuss the state legislature's short session, debates over tax cuts and a cost-of-living adjustment…
The SEANC ViewOpening Day: Speaker Destin Hall on State Pay, Budgets, and Public Safety
On a special 100th Episode of The SEANC View Podcast, we sit down with House Speaker Destin Hall on opening day of the legislative short session for an…
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Short Session Showdown: Budget, AI, and the Fight for State Workers
On this episode of The SEANC View, the hosts and lobbyist Flint Benson break down the upcoming legislative short session, focusing on whether lawmakers will…
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North Carolina's $1B Puzzle: Inside the Auditor's Lapse Salary Report
State Auditor Dave Boliek joins the SEANC View podcast to discuss the January lapse salary report, the need for transparency and truth in budgeting, and how…
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Lantern, Transparency, and Savings: Inside the State Health Plan
Thomas Friedman, Executive Administrator of the State Health Plan, joins The SEANC View podcast to explain the Lantern program, a new preferred-provider and…
The SEANC ViewPolitical Earthquakes and Revenue Surpluses
Hosts Jonathan Owens, Suzanne Beasley and producer Samantha Cline discuss the week’s biggest story: Senate leader Phil Berger’s surprise primary concession to…
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Raises, Retro Pay, and Free Surgeries
Hosts Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins, and Suzanne Beasley discuss Governor Josh Stein’s proposed critical needs budget and its impact on state employees and…
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Gov. Stein Makes Bold State Budget Pitch
Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins, and Sammy Cline break down North Carolina’s unresolved Senate District 26 recount, Governor Stein’s new “critical needs” budget…
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What Tuesday’s Primary Election Results Could Mean for Employees and Retirees
Close races and upsets in Tuesday's Primary Elections could affect the balance of power in Raleigh — and potentially the debate over raises, cost-of-living…
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High-Stakes Primaries, Prison Leadership, and SEANC
This week on the SEANC View Podcast, we check in with Past President Charles Johnson. Charles served as SEANC President from 2010 to 2012. He also served on…
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Understaffed and Undervalued: Inside North Carolina's Corrections Crisis
This week, SEANC First Vice President Emily Jones joined the team during Board of Governors week to discuss the growing staffing crisis across prisons and…
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Running on Empty: Inside North Carolina's Prison Staffing Crisis
This week, we sit down with Department of Adult Correction Secretary Leslie Cooley Dismukes to discuss urgent challenges facing North Carolina prisons. The…
The SEANC ViewPressing the Button: Will Retirees Ever Get a COLA?
In this episode, we interview Sam Watts, executive director of the state retirement system, about a recent board vote and what it could mean for cost-of-living…
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Winter weather is here, but COLAs are not
The SEANC team discusses the recent winter storm and recognizes essential state workers who kept services running. We also address the Retirement System board…
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Arctic Alert: Snow, Ice and the State Workers Who Keep Us Safe
Hosts Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins, Suzanne Beasley, and Sammy Cline discuss an approaching Arctic storm, personal memories of snow, and practical safety…
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Inside Juvenile Justice: Staffing, Safety, and Solutions
North Carolina Department of Public Safety Deputy Secretary William “Billy” Lassiter explains how the Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention…
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Lapsed salary report a precursor to unnecessary job cuts
This episode examines a report from State Auditor Dave Boliek on over $1 billion in lapsed salary dollars and the vacancy crisis facing North Carolina…
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COLAs, Health Care, and the Fight for State Workers and Retirees in 2026
In this first episode of 2026, we are joined by SEANC president Wendell Powell for a conversation about what 2026 holds for state employees and retirees…
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No Budget, Big Questions: North Carolina's Turbulent Year in Review
On this year-end episode of the SEANC View podcast, the hosts recap five top state stories from 2025: leadership changes in Raleigh, government efficiency…
The SEANC ViewAsk Us Anything Edition: Budget Stalemate, Health Benefits, and Holiday Pay
The SEANC View podcast addresses listener questions on state employee and retiree concerns, including the absent budget, the loss of retirement health…
The SEANC ViewHoliday Lifeline: $1,000 Bridge Loan for State Employees
This week, we explore the State Employees' Credit Union's special program for state employees, offering up to $1,000 at a fixed 5% interest rate with up to six…
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Freeze Era Over: State Health Premiums, Hospital Pay, and the Push for Transparency
State Treasurer Brad Briner stated this week that State Health Plan premiums will likely increase again in 2027 for state employees and retirees. In this…
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Budget standstill draws criticism from both sides of the aisle
The SEANC team discusses North Carolina’s stalled budget, upcoming candidate filing, and the political fallout of a late session. They delve into State Auditor…
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Can State Government Compete? Inside NC's HR with Staci Meyer
This week, State Human Resources Director Staci Meyer visits the podcast to discuss state employment in North Carolina. Meyer outlines the state’s hiring…
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North Carolina, the nation must tackle health care costs
Health care is in the spotlight in this episode of the SEANC View podcast. The hosts discuss the State Health Plan's new Lantern program and upcoming town…
The SEANC ViewVeterans Day Edition: A conversation with DMVA Secretary Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette
In honor of Veterans Day, Secretary Jocelyn Mitnaul Mallette, a third-generation veteran and head of the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans…
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Lantern Health: State Health Plan launches free surgery program to offset costs
In this episode of The SEANC View, our team speaks with Thomas Friedman, executive administrator of the North Carolina State Health Plan, about the recently…
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Budget Standoff, Map Drama, and the Fight for Raises and COLAs
This episode covers a fast legislative week in North Carolina: the controversial mid-cycle congressional map changes, a stalled budget fight over tax cuts and…
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Girl Power Episode: Duke-Aetna Deal, Lantern Plan & What It Means for You
Host Samantha Cline, Executive Director Ardis Watkins and Government Relations Director Suzanne Beasley break down recent health care developments: the public…
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State Treasurer Brad Briner Breaks Down Recent State Health Plan Wins
This week, State Treasurer Brad Briner visited The SEANC View Podcast for an extensive interview covering everything from the status of the State Health Plan…
The SEANC ViewClaws Out: How Western Carolina Became a Top Employer
This week, we headed west for The SEANC View podcast, travelling to Cullowhee to interview Western Carolina University Chancellor Kelli Brown and employees. In…
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Iryna's Law, Mental Health, and a Heated Legislative Return
SEANC's new statewide officers join the podcast this week to talk about their upcoming term, which starts on Oct. 1. Incoming President Wendell Powell, First…
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Duke–Aetna Standoff Exposes Urgent Need for Transparency
Hosts Jonathan Owens and Ardis Watkins unpack the Duke–Aetna contract dispute, explaining how secret hospital reimbursements affect State Health Plan members…
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Charlotte murder highlights the need for more investment in mental health services
This week's episode of The SEANC View Podcast explores several current events, including the stabbing on a light-rail train in Charlotte that made national…