The 2021 General Assembly long session opened on Wednesday with a largely ceremonial gathering.

Given the current climate nationally, the two parties pledged a more cordial tone in Raleigh over the next few months. Legislators will return on Jan. 27 to begin their work on a new state budget, issues facing the state caused by the ongoing pandemic, and more.

SEANC looks forward to working with legislators on both sides to ensure the issues facing state employees and retirees are addressed in this session. Our lobbyists will be on hand throughout the session to advocate for better pay, affordable health care, and secure retirement for all of our members.

In other news this week:

• The State Treasurer’s office reported this week that despite the economic upheaval, massive job losses, business shutdowns, and uncertainty in the investment market throughout 2020 due to the COVID19 pandemic, the state pension plan achieved a record $114.9 billion valuation entering 2021.
• WUNC reported that three state auditors have told the General Assembly that the state health plan overpays providers. The state health plan reported to its own board of trustees in 2018 that the amount the plan pays for medical treatments was sometimes up to 10 times the cost of Medicare reimbursement rates. “That's sort of a no-brainer that overpaying to that amount is going to put your plan in financial jeopardy,” SEANC Executive Director Ardis Watkins said.
• The state employees' Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Observance Program was held today. This program honors the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and announces the winner of the annual John R. Larkins Award, an accolade given to a state employee who demonstrates exceptional commitment to justice and equality. Watch it here: