NC state employees Coverage

DRAUGHON DRAWS: N.C. Health Plan shedding some excess??

Monday, Jan. 29, 2024 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

Changes at UNC, ECU could cost NC pension plan $1 billion or more, state treasurer says

A new state law will make UNC Health and ECU Health workers ineligible for the state pension plan. Hospital leaders say they'll create a better retirement system. But North Carolina Treasurer Dale Folwell says it threatens the pensions of all state workers.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

Editorial: Legislators focus too much on tax cuts. Time to care about quality of services too

Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023 -- Schools don't know if they'll have enough bus drivers to get students into their classrooms or even there will be enough teachers when they arrive. State and local agencies that rely upon state funding don't know how much money they'll have to run crucial programs and provide critical services. The unfortunate reality is that the leaders of the General Assembly don't seem to care about the delivery of government services. There's no expectation of excellence or quality.

NC Secretary of State asks for increase in state worker pay

The Secretary of State's Office handles a wide range of paperwork, including new business filings, which are up 70% since the pandemic. Like a lot of state agencies, its head is begging for a funding boost.

'Brink of a crisis': Secretary of state begs for staffing boost as NC businesses boom

The Secretary of State's Office handles a wide range of paperwork, including new business filings, which are up 70% since the pandemic. Like a lot of state agencies, its head is begging for a funding boost.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Editorial: Legislators need to focus on their jobs, not encroach on governor's duties

Saturday, July 15, 2023 -- Rather than unnecessarily and carelessly encroaching on the duties and responsibility of the governor while pursuing an unnecessary and divisive culture war agenda, Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore would be better to focus on doing their job as legislators -- working to give all kids access to a quality education, provide access to health care for all who need it and improve the overall quality of life in the state.

High turnover, few applications, half a billion dollars: Government struggles to hire as NC legislature debates raises

The North Carolina Office of State Human Resources says employee turnover is costing state agencies $493 million a year. The state employees association says big raises would help avoid those costs. General Assembly budget writers say it's not that simple.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Editorial: Legislative quest for political meddling might start with a look in a mirror

Thursday, April 13, 2023 -- The notion that "political meddling threatens the SBI," as a recent opinion headline warned, could be a valid concern. But the worry should be more for those raising the alarm - who appear perpetuate the problem - and whether the true roots of the meddling will be addressed.

NC SBI director says governor's office tried to oust him

State Bureau of Investigation Director Bob Schurmeier said Tuesday that key members of Gov. Roy Cooper's administration pressed him to resign last fall.

'Clear intimidation': NC SBI director says governor's office tried to oust him

SBI Director Bob Schurmeier called on lawmakers Tuesday to grant the bureau more independence and said Gov. Roy Cooper's administration pressed for his resignation and meddled in hiring decisions.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Bipartisan push to ease qualifications for state government jobs advances in NC Senate

The bill runs along the lines of an executive order Gov. Roy Cooper issued Monday, which is meant to encourage more applicants for open state jobs. The state employees association says: just give raises.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

The Wrap: Busy week brings budget work and beaucoup bills

The week in North Carolina politics from WRAL's NC Capitol team

Aetna meeting with state employees as State Health Plan contract fight, transition, continues

Aetna is slated to take over a multi-billion-dollar contract to run the NC State Health Plan for employees in 2025.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Gun bills and Medicaid expansion move. Are tax cuts coming soon?

The week in North Carolina politics from WRAL's NC Capitol team

New details made public about state employee health insurance switch. Could premiums go down?

North Carolina state employees could see lower premium costs for their health insurance on the North Carolina State Health Plan, Treasurer Dale Folwell said Tuesday. He showed reporters new information on the details behind the decision to take the contract away from Blue Cross and Blue Shield, even though it has a larger network of providers.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Folwell's listening for a heart beat

Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

UnitedHealthcare unit latest to protest state's health care contract

The company lost a bid to Aetna. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, which had held the multibillion-dollar contract for decades, is also protesting the state's decision.

New leader announced for NC unemployment office

Antwon Keith moves up to assistant secretary, in charge of the Division of Employment Security.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

No rate hike (for now) to North Carolina state employees' health insurance

State treasurer Dale Folwell says North Carolina is in good financial shape to weather a recession.

State pension fund may need an overhaul, state treasurer says

State treasurer Dale Folwell says North Carolina is in good financial shape to weather a recession. But bigger problems could lie ahead, especially for the state's $100B pension plan.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief

Many state employees get Juneteenth off, but state offices won't close

Many North Carolina state employees got a new floating holiday this year. Some will take it Monday for Juneteenth, others on another day.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

NC Treasurer asks Congress to make it easier for states to seize Russian assets

North Carolina State Treasurer Dale Folwell wants Congress to update a 1976 law so state pension funds could seek economic damages for losses resulting from Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter, and Cullen Browder, WRAL anchor/reporter

NC pension fund holds $80M in Russian assets. Why divesting might not be possible

North Carolina State Treasurer Dale Folwell says much of its money benefitting Russia is tied up in larger funds or inaccessible.

Bryan Anderson, WRAL state government reporter

NC budget provides Christmas present for state workers

Most state employees are expected to receive a bonus of at least $1,000 in their paychecks before Christmas, with another lump sum coming in January.

State employees can expect pre-Christmas bonus, plus a big check in January

Bonuses from the new state budget should hit checks Dec. 21, followed by raises in January.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter