Action Alert: Please Call Your State Representatives Today

Please contact your state representatives tomorrow and ask them to vote against Senate Bill 287.

S.B. 287 is a change to the State Health Plan intended to make the plan's budget solvent. However, the bill adversely affects state employees and teachers, who will have to pay much more for health coverage. The State Employees Assn. of North Carolina expects that many younger workers will avoid the plan for less costly options, exacerbating the problems the bill intends to solve. If less new people buy in to the plan, then it supports older, less healthy people and costs will increase. Down the road, a taxpayer-funded bailout may be necessary for us to fulfill our obligations.

Many state employees have to work extra jobs as they cannot afford to live on their state salaries alone. This is another blow to the workforce that we depend on every day. From Highway Patrolmen to teachers to prison guards, state employees keep our state moving. Furthermore, as our school systems struggle to recruit the best teachers - and as our universities seek out the best faculty and staff members - we have to be able to offer a competitive health care option. Though there may be a one- or two-year hiring freeze in many departments, the freeze isn't forever. This is a short-sighted bill that's bad for North Carolina.

Senate Bill 287 passed the Senate yesterday (March 24). It has to be stopped in the House. Contact your representative to defend North Carolina's employees and our education system.