On Wednesday, just before the opening of the General Assembly's short session, Gov. Roy Cooper called on legislators to increase the upcoming pay raise for state employees, offer retention bonuses, and provide a one-time bonus for retirees.

The legislature passed a two-year budget during the 2023 long session that already includes a 3% pay increase for state employees for this year. Cooper's proposed budget asked for that raise to be increased to 5%. He also asked for retention bonuses of $1,500 for employees making less than $75,000 annually and $1,000 for anyone making more than that amount.

The proposal also contains a 3% one-time bonus for retirees.

Cooper spent most of his press conference discussing his education plans, which included an 8.5% pay raise and a $1,500 retention bonus for teachers.

Often, lawmakers will amend their second-year budget in the short session to account for changes in economic circumstances. This year, the legislature comes to Raleigh with a $1.4 billion revenue surplus. SEANC believes this money should be used to tackle the ongoing vacancy crisis by boosting wages to retain employees and recruit new ones.

It's important to note that Gov. Cooper's budget signals his priorities for the session, but it is unlikely to pass the legislature, which a different party controls. The General Assembly will likely work to pass its own amended budget over the next few months. Lawmakers could also choose to do nothing and let the current plan stand.

SEANC's lobbying team will be at the legislature throughout the session, working with lawmakers to ensure the voices of state employees and retirees are heard.