A report from the Fiscal Research Division of the General Assembly released this week shows a $1.4 billion revenue surplus for the state just in time for the opening of the legislative short session on April 24.

With an ongoing vacancy crisis throughout state government, this surplus must be invested in the state's workforce. Across all agencies, around 1 in 4 jobs are unfilled, and more than half of the jobs at some prisons are unfilled.

DHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley said on the SEANC View Podcast last month that the same crisis is plaguing that department, too.

Legislators must improve on the 3-percent raise currently budgeted for the upcoming year and include a true cost-of-living adjustment for retirees.

PODCAST: Rep. Donna White

This week's episode of The SEANC View Podcast features an interview with Rep. Donna White, SEANC's 2023 Legislator of the Year.

As the short session nears, White discusses her career as a state employee and her current role as a member of several prominent committees in the N.C. House.

We also discuss the unexpected backlash from our interview with a representative from CVS Caremark on our last episode.

Listen to the SEANC View Podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, or Podbean.