Tag search result for: state employees

Appeals Court rules against SEANC

mbieseck — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:10:53 -0500

In a split decision issued Tuesday, the N.C. Court of Appeals ruled that a lower court acted appropriately in dismissing a lawsuit filed against former State Treasurer Richard Moore.

Comp time bill coming due

markjohnson — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 06:02:33 -0400

Two years ago, State Highway Patrol Capt. Marc Nichols was on leave for nearly three months to deal with an extended illness that required two surgeries. The entire leave was covered by comp time he had built up.

North Carolina offers its workers and educators compensation and retirement benefits that are often much better than the private sector's and, in at least one case, unusual even among public-sector employees, according to an N&O analysis.

Health Plan fix ready for Senate vote

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:19:55 -0400

A major fix for the State Health Plan is ready for a Senate vote.

The Senate Appropriations Committee today approved legislation that would cost the general fund $250 million for the current fiscal year ending June 30, and another $609 million for the next two fiscal years, Dan Kane reports.

Health plan fix targets overweight, smokers

janestancill — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:21:36 -0500

State employees, retirees and dependents would have to pay more for health care coverage if they smoke or are significantly overweight, under a proposal announced this morning to help stabilize the state's health insurance plan.

The health plan is spending more than it is taking in, and as a result it faces a $260 million shortfall by June 30, the end of the fiscal year. Lawmakers are hoping to prop up the plan by drawing from the state's "rainy day fund."

"Good faith" expected of state employees

bkrueger — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:11:25 -0500

State agencies remained open today, but many workers did not show up for work.

State policy asks that employees make a “good faith effort” to get into work but otherwise can use vacation time, unpaid leave or make up the day later, reports Mark Johnson.

Gore cleared of favoritism charges

bkrueger — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:56:52 -0500

The Office of State Personnel found that there is no basis to allegations that former Division of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Bill Gore used favoritism in hiring.

The claims were made by Gore's former second-in-command, Wayne Hurder. Hurder was fired in November after an internal DMV investigation found that he had allowed a Greene County patronage boss, Eddie Carroll Thomas, to have longstanding and widespread influence over personnel matters within the Driver and Vehicle Services section.

Unions give to Democratic party

bniolet — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:54:39 -0400

Labor unions last week gave $730,000 to the N.C. Democratic Party, which in turn gave large contributions to the party's nominee for governor.

Campaign finance reports show that the state Democratic Party received $730,000 from three union political action committees. The party then turned around and gave Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue's campaign an $875,000 contribution and spent $245,000 to send mailers on her behalf. That infusion of cash represents a quarter of the $4.6 million Perdue raised in the last three months.

State payroll system hits snags

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 08:06:39 -0400

The state's new payroll system has caused thousands to have problems.

Employees across North Carolina have spent months trying to resolve problems with paychecks that are sometimes more than $1,000 short. Pay stubs are confusing, and state workers say they cannot keep track of how much they're owed.

House, Senate fight over Health Plan

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:21:42 -0400

The last big battle between the House and Senate this session may well be how to bail out the N.C. State Health Plan.

The House passed legislation that would provide $100 million from the rainy day fund to cover deficits in the plan, which legislative leaders say could be steep by early next year, Dan Kane reports.

Easley signs budget

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:33:02 -0400

Gov. Mike Easley ended the suspense today and signed the $21.4 billion state budget bill into law.

"The governor has signed the budget and thanks legislators for their hard work," said a statement from Easley's office. "He looks forward to the General Assembly finishing work on important remaining issues including legislation on drought, home foreclosure and mental health."