Short Session Showdown: Budget, AI, and the Fight for State Workers

On this episode of The SEANC View, the hosts and lobbyist Flint Benson break down the upcoming legislative short session, focusing on whether lawmakers will finalize a budget and how it could affect pay, pensions, and the state health plan. They also discuss Treasurer Brad Briner’s expansion of AI tools and the transparency and privacy concerns tied to public-sector use.

Other topics include the long-running Lake retiree health case, workforce vacancies that strain state services, and how SEANC plans to engage members through Lobby Day and election efforts. The episode closes with a Gen Z moment celebrating the successful Artemis II splashdown and North Carolina astronaut milestones.