Opening Day: Speaker Destin Hall on State Pay, Budgets, and Public Safety

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 consolidations and pension concerns. Then, in an interview, SECU outlines changes to payroll deduction and previews a new mobile app with budgeting and money-transfer tools — members are urged to know their login before the upgrade. The episode also covers GLP-1 drug funding, public pension issues, a light Gen Z segment on influencers, and the popular theme-park ticket program.

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 compression is driving vacancies. Guest Tammera Hill, Chief Operating Officer of the Department of Adult Correction, details the planned closure of Craggy Correctional Institution, employee transfers, recruitment challenges, and the need for meaningful pay solutions. Visit SEANC.org [https://www.seanc.org/] to contact your legislators.

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 left behind. The episode also covers pension concerns and the Pension Fight Club documentary, hiring and turnover costs, health care and insurance changes, the WakeMed–Atrium consolidation, and how listeners can contact legislators and get involved.

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 exemptions, and the potential impact on the state health plan. Also covered: SEANC lobby day, Public Service Recognition Week, the budget debate, and calls for raises and COLAs for state employees and retirees.

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 agency's staffing shortages amid a surge in new business formations and the need for better funding, as well as her long career in public service.