Scoop November 2011 by SEANC

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop November 4, 2011 Quick Links: SEANC in the News A whistleblower lawsuit against a former worker from Winston-Salem’s N.C. Baptist Hospital has been dropped. The employee, Joseph Vincoli, discovered and notified State Health Plan officials and legislators that the hospital was overcharging the state for services. Vincoli now works for the state and is a member of SEANC District 42. “This is a victory for social justice. When someone sees the state being potentially wronged or misled – it’s great to know that there are still folks out there who are willing to do the right thing,” said SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope.

SEANC Fights for Health Care Tax Credits SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope has sent a letter to Secretary of Treasury Tim Geithner and Commissioner of the IRS Douglas Shulman objecting to a federal rule that would effectively deny dependents of state employees the ability to participate in the Affordable Health Care Act’s Health Benefit Exchange (HBE). This federal rule would be a double whammy on state workers’ dependents by prohibiting them from participating in HBE tax credits when they already pay an outrageous monthly premium for health care. Commissioner of Insurance Wayne Goodwin sent a separate letter with similar objections to this proposed federal rule.

Get to Know Your SEANC Officers How well do you know your SEANC officers? Officers are elected during the annual SEANC convention by convention delegates. In today’s Scoop, we’re highlighting 1st Vice President Sidney Sandy. You can also read about Treasurer Marilyn Jean Martin, 2nd Vice President Doranna Anderson and Past President Tony Smith on the SEANC website.

Member Discount Disney on Ice presents “Dare to Dream” at the RBC Center in Raleigh Dec. 7-11. SEANC members, take advantage now of prime seats at discounted prices. Don’t miss this opportunity to dazzle your children and grandchildren with the casts of Tangled, Cinderella and The Princess and the Frog – all at an amazing low price! Order your tickets today!

SEANC Hot Spots: Legislative Update Benefits Bulletin Member Discounts SEANC in the News SEANC Insurance Update Your Contact Info Calendar of Events www.seanc.org 800-222-2758

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop November 10, 2011 Quick Links: SEANC Legislative Affairs Visits Morganton Youth Program

SEANC Legislative Affairs Director Ardis Watkins visited Morganton on Nov. 4 to provide a legislative update for employees of the Youthful Offenders Forest Conservation Program. This group is a cooperative effort between the N.C. Forest Service and the N.C. Division of Prisons, created to increase the states’ firefighting capabilities while providing valuable job training and life skills to youth offenders. If you would like to schedule a legislative briefing at your worksite, contact Lynn Cote at lcote@seanc.org.

Get to Know Your SEANC Officers

How well do you know your SEANC officers? Officers are elected during the annual SEANC convention by convention delegates. In today’s Scoop, we’re highlighting President Charles Johnson. You can also read about Treasurer Marilyn Jean Martin, 2nd Vice President Doranna Anderson, 1st Vice President Sidney Sandy and Past President Tony Smith on the SEANC website.

Member Discount

SEANC is excited to announce a special partnership with the Carolina Panthers! Members can purchase tickets for only $32 for two home games – Dec. 11 versus the Atlanta Falcons and Dec. 24 versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Purchase tickets securely using the offer code BELONG2011, then create an account and follow the online directions. Tickets will be emailed directly to you for home printing. Availability is limited to eight tickets per account, so take advantage today!

Veterans Day Holiday

The SEANC Central Office will be closed for Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11, to honor our military heroes. We thank those U.S. men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

SEANC Hot Spots:

Legislative Update Benefits Bulletin Member Discounts SEANC in the News SEANC Insurance Update Your Contact Info Calendar of Events www.seanc.org 800-222-2758

State Employees Association of North Carolina The SEANC Scoop November 18, 2011 Mr. Cope Goes to Washington SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope was in Washington, D.C. on Thursday advocating for affordable dependent care coverage for state employees before the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Internal Revenue Service. Cope told officials that “SEANC is calling on the Obama administration to fulfill its promise that affordable health care will be made available to working families in North Carolina.” See the SEANC Latest News page for more details.

Thanks to all the dedicated state employees who responded to the tornado emergencies this week! Click here to read the November Reporter!

Quick Links: SEANC Leaders Join Criminal Justice Commission Congratulations to SEANC President Charles Johnson and District 40 member Johnny Hawkins, who were sworn in this morning to the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission by N.C. Supreme Court Justice Sarah Parker. The commission is responsible for establishing standards for criminal justice officers and helping plan criminal justice education. They will serve until June 30, 2014.

DOT to the Rescue! The crew of the MV Stanford White, which includes District 67 members Larry Mason and Noah Lynk, assisted a distressed kite boarder in the Neuse River Friday, Nov. 11. The kite boarder became tangled in his line and ferry personnel launched a rescue boat to assist and bring him to shore. This is the second time this year a ferry crew at the Cherry Branch operations has been involved in a water rescue. Pictured, from the left, are Matt Nelson, Mason, Bryce Langdale, Sonny Golden and Doug Winn (Lynk is not pictured).

SEANC in the News In a news article that was published on Saturday, Nov. 12, SEANC Executive Director Dana Cope spoke out against the proposed privatization of medical services for the Department of Correction. He noted that such a move would burden the taxpayers of North Carolina and added “We’ve been down this road before and state employees were called in to fix the private contractors’ mess.”

SEANC Hot Spots: Legislative Update Benefits Bulletin Member Discounts SEANC in the News SEANC Insurance Update Your Contact Info Calendar of Events www.seanc.org 800-222-2758

Member Discount Going somewhere for the holidays? Travel safer by becoming an AAA member at a low price! SEANC members receive $10 off first-time enrollment. If you are already an AAA member, you can receive $10 off gift memberships for family and friends. See the Featured Discounts page for the order form.

Thanksgiving Holiday The SEANC Central Office will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Wednesday, Nov. 23, Thursday, Nov. 24 and Friday, Nov. 25. We wish you safe travels and joyful gatherings with family, friends and loved ones. The Scoop will resume on Friday, Dec. 2.