Gov. Roy Cooper announced his budget proposal for the upcoming legislative session. His budget includes great news for state employees and retirees. 

SEANC applauds Governor Cooper's leadership in proposing the largest investment in state employees in more than a decade. The governor's decisive action is a significant and long overdue step toward lifting many public employees out of poverty wages, especially those who serve our most vulnerable citizens or protect us from harm. 

This is a serious but modest proposal that is dedicated to the discipline of a balanced budget and addresses unmet and long-overdue needs of state employees, retirees and their families. 

Gov. Cooper's proposal includes:

• A pay raise for all state employees of $1,250 or 2% of salary, whichever is greater.
• Five days of bankable bonus leave for all state employees.
• An additional $1,000 salary increase for 29,513 institutional employees in DPS and DHHS, as well as 3,130 law enforcement officers.
• A 1% cost-of-living adjustment for retirees.
• Full funding of the employer contribution to the retirement system.
• $10 million to support NC 457 supplemental retirement contributions for correctional officers.
• $20 million for targeted salary adjustments for below-market and hard-to-recruit positions.

SEANC's leaders and lobbyists have made pay raises for state employees a top priority throughout our discussions with Governor Cooper and his administration over the past few months. This budget shows that SEANC had an impact. 

It's important to remember that this proposal is the first step in the budget process. We must persuade the General Assembly to commit to the plan when they return to Raleigh next week.

Click here to tell your legislators to support Gov. Cooper's budget!