Lawmakers were away from Raleigh this week, but the news that matters to state employees and retirees kept coming.

Gov. Josh Stein and prison leaders called on the General Assembly to make sure budgeted raises reach more than just correctional officers. The current Republican framework gives officers a 15% raise but leaves out many supervisors and support staff. That gap hits a system already in crisis: North Carolina's prisons run with about half the officers needed to operate safely, and turnover is at 24%.

Department of Adult Correction Secretary Leslie Dismukes urged lawmakers to fund double-digit raises for sergeants, captains, lieutenants, and the staff who keep facilities open every day.

Stein said the state can't wait on lawmakers to start fixing the problem, pointing to a pilot program that lets recruits work while finishing certification. But he was clear that the real fix takes legislative action: "Ultimately, we will need action from the General Assembly to raise correctional officer pay."

Stein also signed an executive order this week barring state employees from using nonpublic work information to bet on prediction markets like Kalshi and Polymarket. He called it a natural extension of the State Ethics Act and said he has no reason to believe any state employees are placing such bets.

This week on The SEANC View Podcast, we discuss these issues, the Atrium/WakeMed merger, retiree matters, and more. We also sat down with State Employees' Credit Union Chief Credit and Revenue Officer Stacie Walker to discuss important changes SECU is making that will affect our members, including the launch of a new mobile app for member access. Listen by clicking the button below.