Another week has passed without a state budget compromise, putting more pressure on lawmakers to meet the June 30 fiscal year-end deadline.

Reports this week suggest that House and Senate leaders continue to disagree on tax cuts and how to spend the $3 billion surplus. SEANC's lobbyists are meeting with both sides to hammer home the need for real raises and bonuses to help recruit and retain employees.

We also continue to drive that message home through the media and social media. Executive Director Ardis Watkins appeared on Wilmington's Morning News with Nick Craig this week on WAAV to discuss the budget and vacancy rate, and the Carolina Journal interviewed Government Relations Director Suzanne Beasley on the same topic.

We also debuted videos on social media from members discussing how a meaningful raise and bonus would affect their families and workplace (above). We would love to hear from you on this! Just take out your phone and record a short video telling us why you need a raise and how it would help the vacancy rate at your agency, then email it to Communications Director Jon Owens.

There's still time to make your voices known. If you haven't already, please tell them to support SEANC's plan of 5% raises in the next two years, a $5,000 bonus to help retain workers, and a 2% cost-of-living adjustment for retirees. If you have already emailed them, please use the "Find your legislators" button below to find their phone numbers and give them a call.