PODCAST · news
The SEANC View
by SEANC
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. To keep up on SEANC’s daily news, follow us on Twitter @SEANC and “like” us on Facebook at facebook.com/SEANC1947.
Episodes
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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 plan costs. The episode also covers the WakeMed–Atrium merger, community concerns, calls for public hearings, and what these developments...
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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 without lowering the prices it charges the State Health Plan. Treasurer Brad Briner says if the program stays in place, it will bankrupt the...
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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 endorsements, why this year they avoided races with incumbents, and how they support chosen candidates with boots-on-the-ground activity....
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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, and a late statement from the governor. Community groups led by the Patients Union and the Justice Center protested the process and…
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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 costs. The episode also features an in-depth interview with the Patients Union Executive Director Jamila Headley and Ron Stephens about…
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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 reports, nominations, and a remembrance for 9/11. The episode covers the controversy over Atrium’s proposed takeover of WakeMed and its potential...
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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 WakeMed–Atrium merger story and its financial and cost implications for North Carolinians. They also cover high-paid university staff, a rabies scare...
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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 proposal, concerns about rising health costs, the upcoming Wake County commissioners vote, and what the merger could mean for patients and...
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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 State Human Resources Act, the law governing how state government hires, pays, and manages its workforce, since the 1960s. SEANC worked…
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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 Plan, which could see significant premium increases if the deal goes through. This week we spoke with Nathan Foster of the NC Justice...
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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 retirees getting COLAs? Hosts Jonathan Owens, Ardis Watkins and Samantha Cline discuss this issue as they break down the week in state politics....
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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 Imagination Library, and included incentives for major sporting events, while the House prepares to take up the bill. We also discuss new...
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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 and WakeMed from preferred provider status. The plan aims to cap hospital reimbursements, which can sometimes reach over 800% of Medicare...
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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 explain major changes: a premium increase, a new three-tier provider network (preferred, access, non-preferred), and the decision to return...
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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, parole, and correctional staff. They also cover retiree reactions and the controversy over who receives bonuses. The episode previews the...
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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 corrections, bonuses for workers and retirees, and concerns about cuts and hundreds of vacant positions. The episode discusses rising state health...
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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 expensive and what can be done about it. We discuss hospital consolidation and the Atrium–WakeMed merger, steering and preferred provider...
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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 AI stakes like Anthropic, and explain why the office passed on buying part of the Carolina Hurricanes. He also covers portfolio changes,...
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Stanley 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 rising healthcare costs for retirees, the controversial Atrium–WakeMed merger and its impact on competition and patient bills. Also covered:...
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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 North Carolina government. Also, we discussed 'Pension Fight Club,' a first-of-its-kind investigative documentary about the threat to...
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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 staffing problems, stalled projects like the zoo’s Asia expansion and major hiring delays, and the ongoing debate over hospital...
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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 amendment, retiree COLA concerns, and SEANC’s new vacant-jobs dashboard. They discuss the staffing crisis across state agencies and how pay...
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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 — including raises and one-time bonuses for state employees, teachers, law enforcement, and retirees — and debate who benefits and who is…
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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 consolidation will drive up health care costs. Hosts discuss reactions from the state treasurer and auditor, corporate pay and nonprofit tax...
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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, looming budget and job cuts, and an upcoming state employee rally. We then sit down with Secretary of State Elaine Marshall to discuss her...
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Opening 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 extended discussion on the state budget, proposed pay raises for state employees, retiree COLA, and health plan costs. The conversation covers...
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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 finalize a budget and how it could affect pay, pensions, and the state health plan. They also discuss Treasurer Brad Briner’s expansion of…
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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 audits inform hiring, corrections funding, DMV operations, and contract oversight. He also discusses the auditor's office use of technology...
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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 tiered-access model designed to lower costs for members while improving quality and access. We also discuss the recently approved preferred...
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Political 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 Sam Page and the ensuing scramble for Senate leadership. We also break down new revenue forecasts that trigger a personal income tax cut,...
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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 retirees; the sustainability and transparency issues facing the State Health Plan; debates over Aetna and Lantern’s surgery network; 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 targeting raises for correctional officers, teachers, and state staff, and the $319M Medicaid rebase request. We also discuss expanding…
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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 adjustments, job cuts, and other issues important to state employees and retirees in the upcoming short session. This week the SEANC teams...
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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 the State Health Plan Board of Trustees and on statewide boards for the pension system and criminal justice. He retired from state service,...
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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 probation & parole, the use of lapse salaries, and the toll underfunding takes on morale and public safety. Emily shares frontline experiences…
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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 wide-ranging interview includes discussion of chronic staffing shortages and retention, the use of lapse salary to cover operating costs,...
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Pressing 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 adjustments (COLAs) for retirees. Sam explains the system’s funding history, the role of employer and employee contributions, how past...
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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 meeting and the push for a COLA amid growing unfunded liability, staffing shortfalls that threaten SNAP funding and other services, UNC...
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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 advice while thanking essential state workers who keep roads, hospitals, and prisons running during extreme weather. The episode pivots to a...
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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 serves youth through court counseling, community programs, detention centers, and youth development facilities, while addressing complex...
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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 agencies, with discussion about potential job cuts, recruitment, and the impact on public services. Guest Junior Hulen, statewide chairman of…
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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: rising health premiums, stalled COLAs for retirees, staffing shortages in prisons and other agencies, and strategies for political engagement…
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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 efforts, ongoing recovery after Hurricane Helene, steep state health-plan premium increases, and the failure to pass a state budget with no...
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Ask 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 insurance for hires after 2021, early December pay changes, and the $3.3 billion surplus. We discuss staffing and retention issues, why COLAs…
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Holiday 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 months to repay, created to bridge the gap caused by the December pay schedule change. We also highlight related SECU benefits, including…
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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 episode, we discuss the need for true transparency in hospital pricing to control costs. We also cover $14 billion in pension gains, but no…
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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 Dave Bullock’s rapid report on DHHS, which reveals $386 million in lapsed salary funds, the state’s high vacancy rates, and the debate…
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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 challenges (about a 19–20% vacancy rate and long time-to-hire), explains how law changes and technology will speed recruiting (resume/profile...
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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 halls, explore rising healthcare costs and competition, and debate Certificate of Need rules and public health responses. They then interview...
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Veterans 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 Affairs, joins the podcast to discuss her journey from the Air Force Academy to public service, her current mission to make North Carolina...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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. To keep up on SEANC’s daily news, follow us on Twitter @SEANC and “like” us on Facebook at facebook.com/SEANC1947.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The SEANC View have?
The SEANC View currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The SEANC View about?
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. To keep up on SEANC’s daily news, follow us on Twitter @SEANC and “like” us on Facebook at...
How often does The SEANC View release new episodes?
The SEANC View has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The SEANC View?
You can listen to The SEANC View on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The SEANC View?
The SEANC View is created and hosted by SEANC.
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