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 ViewLive from the 41st Annual SEANC Convention!
Coming to you live from the 41st annual SEANC Convention in Greensboro, our team discusses Governor Josh Stein's fiery speech and updates from state leaders on…
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State Auditor Dave Bullock on Transparency, Tech & DMV Reform
The SEANC team interview State Auditor Dave Bullock about accountability, the DAVE Act, the DMV audit, technology and contract oversight, and what it all means…
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State Health Plan Shakeup: Premium Hikes and Lantern’s Plan
Following the State Health Plan Board of Trustees' decision last week to increase premiums for most state employees and retirees, SEANC members have reached…
The SEANC ViewState Health Plan increasing premiums for 2026
The State Health Plan Board of Trustees voted today to increase premiums for most state employees and retirees for the first time in eight years. The increases…
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State audit finds DMV needs more workers, better pay
Welcome to the SEANC View podcast, where host Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins, and Sam Cline discuss the pressing issues facing state employees and public…
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Navigating the "minibudget" and Public School Maze
In this episode of the SEANC View podcast, Samantha Cline takes the helm as host, joined by Executive Director Ardis Watkins, Government Relations Director…
The SEANC ViewGEN Z Takeover: A Probation Officer's Journey and Insights
In this special Gen Z episode of the SEANC View podcast, Samantha Cline and Jamison Rhodes sit down with Ramona Williams, a dedicated probation and parole…
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Federal cuts will affect state budget debate
Cuts to federal funding in the recently passed "Big Beautiful Bill" will likely force the state legislature to make tough choices in this year's state budget…
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Navigating NC's Budget Challenges
This week's episode of The SEANC View Podcast discusses what the gains mean for state retirees, including the prospects of a cost-of-living adjustment in the…
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A conversation with Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey
This week, the SEANC team welcomes special guest N.C. Commissioner of Insurance Mike Causey for a discussion on the state budget, proposed job cuts at his…
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Tackling the State Health Plan's Challenges: An In-depth Interview with Thomas Friedman
This week, we are joined by State Health Plan Executive Administrator Thomas Friedman for an in-depth look at the challenges facing the Plan and its…
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Budget Delays and State Employee Protections
In this episode of the SEANC View podcast, we discuss the ongoing state budget negotiations and the critical issues facing state employees, including delayed…
The SEANC ViewBudget negotiations may stretch beyond July 1 deadline
With the House and Senate still at odds over their tax plans, a new state budget likely won't be passed in time for the start of the new fiscal year on July 1…
The SEANC ViewDID YOU KNOW? State Retirees Deserve Better
In this Did You Know episode, SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins delves into the challenges faced by retirees in North Carolina, part of the Teachers and…
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Budget Battles Continue at NCGA
In this edition, host Jonathan Owens, along with Ardis Watkins, Suzanne Beasley, and Sam Cline, dive into the ongoing budget discussions happening behind…
The SEANC ViewSEANC Voices: Kirk Montgomery on Leadership and Legislation
Join us for the premiere episode of our new series, SEANC Voices, where we delve into the dynamic world of state employee advocacy. In this episode, we sit…
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Gen Z Takes Over: Navigating North Carolina Politics and Legislation
In this episode of the Scenic View podcast, our Gen Z hosts dive deep into the current political landscape affecting North Carolina. Join Samantha Cline…
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Budget Battles and Job Cuts: What's Next for State Employees?
In this episode, we discuss the passage of the House budget proposal and the impact of proposed job cuts. Each agency faces the challenge of meeting a 20%…
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DID YOU KNOW? Crisis in NC Prisons
In this episode, Ardis Watkins from the State Employees Association of North Carolina shines a light on a critical issue affecting the state's correctional…
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DID YOU KNOW: House Budget is Bad for State Employees and Retirees
Ardis Watkins discusses the House budget, which offers mixed news for state employees and retirees. While retirees receive a modest one-time bonus, active…
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DID YOU KNOW?: House to announce budget on Monday
Government Relations Director Suzanne Beasley reports from the N.C. General Assembly on the House's plan to introduce its budget proposal.
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DHHS, prison employees react to job cuts in budget
With the House budget proposal around the corner, this episode delves into pressing issues surrounding mental health and correctional facilities amidst…
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Bill to curb SHRA protections passes the House
In this episode, we discuss crossover week at the General Assembly. SEANC members turned out in force against House Bill 549, which would strip State Human…
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State employee protections under fire at the NC Legislature
In this episode, we tackle the contentious issues surrounding employment rights within state agencies, focusing on the potential implications of House Bill…
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State Budget Debate Moves to the House
With the legislature on spring break, we discuss the ongoing budget debate and the implications of stagnant state salaries in comparison to the private sector…
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Unpacking the Senate's Budget Proposal: Key Highlights and Reactions
This week's episode of the SEANC View Podcast discusses the newly released Senate budget proposal and its implications for state employees and retirees in…
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Budget debate heats up with Senate's proposal
This episode highlights the anticipated Senate budget proposal, expected to be announced next week, and includes the controversial DAVE Act that empowers the…
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Demystifying Government Efficiency
This week, we discuss the controversial topic of government efficiency initiatives, including the DAVE Act, which aims to evaluate government positions and…
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The DAVE Act and Perception of Public Employees
Senate Bill 474, filed Monday by Senate Leader Phil Berger, would create a Division of Accountability, Value, and Efficiency within State Auditor Dave Boliek’s…
The SEANC ViewGovernor Stein's budget leaves employees, retirees behind
Governor Josh Stein released his state budget proposal on Wednesday. It fell short for state employees, retirees, and taxpayers. Stein proposed a 2% pay raise…
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Governor Stein's State of the State Address
In this episode of the SEANC View podcast, host Jonathan Owens is joined by Suzanne Beasley, Ardis Watkins, and Sam Cline to discuss Governor Josh Stein's…
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DOGE efforts in North Carolina with Rep. John Torbett
Rep. John Torbett joined this week's edition of the SEANC View Podcast to discuss the House Select Committee on Government Efficiency work, which he co-chairs…
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NC Legislature takes aim at DEI Initiatives
This week, a bill filed in the House targets "DEI Initiatives" in state government without clarifying what that means. State Treasurer Brad Briner, State…
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Snow Kidding: It's Fiscal Forecast Time!
On this week's edition of the SEANC View Podcast, we discuss these projections and the creation of a Select Committee on Government Efficiency to bring the…
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Bitcoin and the State Retirement System
This week, we welcome SEANC Retiree Council Chairman Jamie Robinson and Membership Chairman Cliff Johnson to discuss State Treasurer Brad Briner's visit to the…
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Unmasking Healthcare Costs and Reform at Prisons
Welcome to another edition of the Scenic View podcast. In this episode, host Jonathan Owens is joined by Ardis Watkins, executive director, and Sam Cline…
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The legislature gets to work, and needs persist in the West
In this episode of The SEANC View podcast, host Jonathan Owens, along with Executive Director Ardis Watkins, Government Relations Director Suzanne Beasley, and…
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Live from Wilmington: SEANC Leaders Unite
Welcome to a special live edition of the SEANC View podcast, where we engage with the key leaders of our state association in the picturesque setting of…
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State Health Plan, Tik Tok Ban, Piano Man
In this episode of the SEANC View podcast, the team dives into the contentious healthcare debate affecting state employees. Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins…
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Navigating North Carolina's Healthcare Storm
This week the SEANC team discusses the intricacies of healthcare in North Carolina, including the pressing issues surrounding the state health plan. State…
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New Year, New Challenges: North Carolina's Leadership Transition
Welcome to the first edition of The SEANC View podcast for 2025, featuring Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins, and Sam Cline. This week, we discuss the significant…
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The SEANC View's Year-End Special
Welcome to a special year-end edition of The SEANC View podcast. Jonathan Owens, Suzanne Beasley, Ardis Watkins, and Sam Cline retrospectively examine the…
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Another attack at Bertie is a stark reminder of crisis
Welcome to another edition of the Scenic View podcast, hosted by Jonathan Owens alongside Ardis Watkins, Suzanne Beasley, and Sam Cline. This week we discuss…
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Legislature proposes amendment lowering the state income tax cap
This week, we delve into key developments at the state legislature, focusing on the Senate's recent approval of three significant constitutional amendments…
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Thanksgiving Special: Thankful voices from SEANC
Welcome to a special Thanksgiving edition of the SEANC View podcast. In this heartfelt episode, our digital communications specialist, Sam Cline, gathers…
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President Montgomery speaks out against increased State Health Plan premiums
In this episode of The SEANC View podcast, SEANC President Kirk Montgomery discusses his visit to the State Health Plan Board of Trustees meeting, where he…
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Decoding the Ballot: Post-Election Insights and the Future
In this post-election edition of the SEANC View podcast, Communications Director Jonathan Owens, Executive Director Ardis Watkins, Government Relations…
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Election Day is finally here!
Election Day is upon us! In this episode of the SEANC Viw Podcast, Communications Director Jonathan Owens, Executive Director Ardis Watkins, Government…
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Treasurer candidate says pension system "crowding out other priorities"
This week's episode of the SEANC View Podcast focuses primarily on the State Treasurer's race, which is one of the most important to state employees and…
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Mountain Strong: Uniting for Relief and Resilience
SEANC's leadership team joins the podcast this week to discuss the ongoing relief efforts following Hurricane Helene. With homes lost and communities…
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Aftermath of Hurricane Helene: A Call to Action and Support for Western North Carolina
In this episode of the Scenic View podcast, Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins, and Sam Klein discuss Hurricane Helene's devastating impact on Western North…
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The races for State Treasurer, Governor heat up, Public Education Funding, and the SEANC Convention
On this week's episode, hosts Jonathan Owens and Ardis Watkins are joined by Suzanne Beasley and Sam Cline to discuss recent political developments and public…
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Election 2024: EMPAC's Endorsements and the Power of Nonpartisanship
Election season is in full swing! This week, we are joined by Mark Dearmon, the state chairman of SEANC's EMPAC Political Action Committee, to discuss our…
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Back to School! SEANC's role at public schools, colleges and universities
In this episode, Communications Director Jonathan Owens, Executive Director Ardis Watkins, and Communications Specialist Sam Cline are joined by Director of…
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Gen Z Takeover! Young members discuss the future of state employment
This week, we turn to the future, as Digital Communication Specialist Samantha Cline sits down with Gen Z members and staffers to discuss the future of SEANC…
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Thunderstorms, fireworks, pay raises and the State Health Plan
On this week's episode of the SEANC View podcast, Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins, Suzanne Beasley, and producer Sam Cline dive into the latest happenings amidst…
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General Assembly leaves without amending budget; Cooper touts medical debt plan
The North Carolina General Assembly left Raleigh last week without passing an amended budget with additional raises or bonuses for state employees or retirees…