In April, daylight savings time begins.  It is amazing how that extra hour of daylight makes such a difference in our state of mind.  Perhaps, knowing winter is almost over and spring is just around the corner gives us that uplifted feeling.  It could be having that extra hour to play or work outside is what makes us happy and renews our spirit.  Whatever it is, everyone I talk to is ready for this long, hard, cold, windy, snowy, icy winter to be over and only a faint memory.  A memory that may resurface, prior to the next winter, as preparations are being made to endure the next cold bitter season, and then we’ll discuss how we survived the last winter and what our plan of action is to make it through the next one.

Well, in my mind, I liken this to the current plight of State employees.  We are ready for the “wintry” treatment of State employees to be a memory.   When will State employees’ “daylight savings time” arrive?  We are ready for that extra “bit” of sunshine in terms of better pay, health care and retirement benefits, and we must not give up the fight to obtain this goal.   SEANC’s lobbyists are diligently working on our behalf every day.  They are continuously visiting with legislators and various committees in the House and Senate.  But, we have a responsibility as well to do grassroots lobbying.  As I mentioned in the last newsletter, there is strength in numbers. When our legislators hear State employees’ concerns, from not just one but also many of us, it can make a difference.   I encourage you to contact our legislators and let them know State employees deserve better treatment this year.  When District 3’s Legislative Call to Action Committee asks you to sign an endorsement sheet accompanying a letter we are sending to our legislators, please do so. We don’t want another year of discussing how we survived “the 2002 legislative year,” and how we’ll make it through another one like last year.   We are ready for this long, cold and icy treatment of State employees to be over.

Legislative year 2003 is the year treatment of State employees must change for the better.  There are 50 freshmen legislators this year, and for the first time there are House Co-Speakers, Jim Black (D-Mecklenburg) and Richard Morgan (R-Monroe).  Several veteran legislators stated to me in February that state employees deserve better, and they hope to do more for us this year.  We will have to continue to voice our concerns and see if we will get our “daylight savings time” this year.

I value your comments and suggestions throughout this year as we work together for better pay, health care and retirement benefits.  Please do not hesitate to contact me anytime (828-262-2583 W, 828-264-6708 H, johnsonts@appstate.edu).

NEW MEMBERS….WELCOME TO THE SEANC FAMILY
October:
Gary L. Dancy 
Tracy G. Greene
Diane B. Suddreth 
Yvonne B. Thomas 
Jessee J. Townsend
November:
Jeremy D. Blocker 
Louis C. Burge
Jackie L. Greene 
Luann M. Greene
Debra K. Grubbs 
Wanda B. Kerley
Ethel C. Hayes 
Sandra L. Krause
Linda G. McDonald 
Eddie P. Norris
Terry L. Rash 
Sara E. Speed
December:
Julia F. Garland 
Erin L. Hill
Bobby R. Isaacs 
William H. Whiteside
January: 
Sylvia Tarleton
February:
Tina B. Ensor Connie H. McKinney
Carol S. Query

RETIREE NEWS
Pat Rhymer
Governor Easley recently released his recommendations for the budget year beginning July 1, 2003.  His budget provides funding for a 1.5% cost-of-living adjustment for retirees.  He has also recommended some funding for the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System which includes payback of funds escrowed by the Governor in 2001 and reinstatement of an employer/state contribution to the System for both years of the budget biennium.

This legislative session will be a tough one for both active and retired employees, so it's a good idea to stay in touch with your local legislators.  Make sure  your voice is heard.  Take a few minutes to call, write or e-mail.  Let them hear from all of us!
 
Governor Unveils Budget
Highlights from the governor's budget proposal relevant to state employee and retiree issues are as follows:
PAY:
1.6 percent pay raise for EPA and SPA state employees.
HEALTH CARE:
$168 million appropriation over the biennium (two-year budget cycle) for the State Health Plan, (which basically means the governor would appropriate enough money to fully fund employee-only health plan premiums.  The General Assembly still may propose benefit reductions in the State
Health Plan)
RETIREE COLA:
1.5 percent
RETIREMENT SYSTEM:
$26 million for the first installment of payback of funds escrowed by the governor in 2001 to balance the state budget, AND
$21 million (= 0.28 percent of payroll) for an employer/state contribution to the retirement system for the first year of the budget biennium, AND
a 2.11 percent ($158 million) employer/state contribution to the retirement system for the second year of the budget biennium.
(Note: A 1.81 percent pay raise was recommended for public school teachers, which is a "step increase" in their pay plan, plus ABC bonuses where they have earned them). 

MEMBER PROFILES

David Welch has been a State employee for 27 years working for the Department of Transportation in Watauga County.  He worked for two years in a temporary position, and then was hired as a full-time permanent employee in 1978.  Currently David serves as a Transportation Supervisor within the department.  David has been a SEANC member since he became a permanent employee.   When asked what he would like the General Assembly to do for state employees this year, he said, “I want them to maintain and improve our health care without increasing the premiums.”  Comments from co-workers about David included: “good to work with,” “works hard,” “good person.”  David and his wife, Marilyn, have an 11 year old son, Chris.  David is a dedicated DOT worker; when asked if he had missed spending the holidays with his family because of his work, he responded, “yes, but that’s my job.”   Some of his interests include woodworking, doing yard work and NASCAR
 
 
Patricia Presnell, of Bakersville, has been a State employee for 19 years. She began her State career with Mayland Community College in 1984 and transferred to the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service in 1989.  She is a graduate of Mayland Community College with an A.A.S. degree in Secretarial Science. Her position with Cooperative Extension is administrative secretary and she provides support for the county director, agriculture agent, and serves as systems administrator and Web contact. She and her husband, Sam, have been married for 21 years and have one daughter, Ashley, who is a freshman at Mitchell High School.  Sam is also a State employee and works in accounting at Mayland Community College.  Patricia has been a member of the State Employees' Association since she began employment and is also an active member of the N. C. Cooperative Extension Secretaries' Association.  She enjoys reading, walking and spending time with her family. 
 
Linda Taylor is a lifelong resident of the Green Valley community in Avery County and has been a state employee for the past 29 years.  Linda began her career with State Government working ten years in a secretarial position for New River Behavioral Healthcare, and she has worked in the past nineteen years as an Office Assistant with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation in the Newland Office.  Linda obtained her secretarial training at Crossnore High School.  She was married to Robert Taylor for thirty-four years until his death in 1996.  Linda and Robert had two sons, Bob and Dan, both successfully self-employed in Avery County.  Linda is a member of the Pine Grove United Methodist Church where she serves as church organist, chairperson of the Board of Trustees, and as president of the United Methodist Women’s group.  Linda’s friendly manner, organizational skills, and hard work have been instrumental in the successful delivery of Vocational Rehabilitation services to the disabled population of Avery County for nearly twenty years.  David Rash, a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in the Newland office, said, “It takes a special person to work twenty-nine years in public service.  It has been my pleasure to work with Mrs. Taylor the past ten years.”  Linda’s other interests include reading, attending bluegrass and country music shows, and she is a big NASCAR fan.  Mrs. Taylor also loves to travel and hopes to work part-time as a tour director after she retires from state government.

Spread the Word!!  
Scholarship Applications are due April 15.

One of your great benefits for being a member of the State Employees Association of North Carolina, Inc., (SEANC) is its College Scholarship Program designed for active association members, their spouses and dependent children.   These annual scholarships are awarded from the investment of donations by state employees and others.  

Applicants for SEANC Scholarships must be enrolled at, or have applied to a recognized and accredited postsecondary school, college, university, trade school or other institution of 
higher learning.  Categories for scholarship awards

include: (1) Financial Need, (2) Merit (which excludes financial need) and  (3) SEANC Member 
Only.  Applicants should only submit in one category.   Applicants for the financial need or merit categories must be planning on enrolling full-time.  Applicants under the Member Only category must be a full-time state employee and enrolling part-time (6 hours per session for undergraduate or 3 hours minimum for graduate courses).

If you or someone you know is eligible for this benefit and needs more information, please contact Linda Herbst, District 3 Scholarship Chairperson, Route 3 Box 217-C, Newland, NC  28657.  I can also be reached at Mayland Community College 828-765-7351 Ext. 219.  "Complete" applications are due on or before April 15, 2003.