CHECKING THEIR WATCHES (above) is a group of retired teachers waiting for the 13th check promised by 86th Legislature. They include Seated (left-right): Amanda Burleson, Loy Newberry, Jerri McBay, Carol Chappell, Kim Whitaker; Standing (l-r): Maurice Burleson, Terry Dunlap, Suzann Leadbetter, Charlene Ezell, Tommy Leadbetter, Mary Lee, Denise Alford, Cynthia Gage, Caroline Conley, Janet Race, Lola Myers, Pam Chappell. (Submitted Photo)
Thank you to all the Texas Legislators who voted for the bills giving Texas Retired Teachers a 13th check and Active Public School Employees an increase in salary. Even more important to our future is for the added funds to make TRS actuarially sound again after the TRS Board downgraded it earlier. This adding of extra thousands to our fund is a pathway to giving a much needed Cost of Living adjustment to retirees. Most retirees have never received any raise since their retirement many years ago.
Thank you to all those who fought for public education by testifying and contacting legislators by calls, emails, and letters continually during the 86th Legislative Session.
Those legislators’ votes didn’t just happen…they were fought for by TRTA! Fighting for you was Tim Lee, Executive Director of TRTA, the man who knows everything about legislation, politics, TRS, and what school employees were promised, need, and deserve. Fighting beside him was the TRTA State Officers and State Legislative Committee. They were at the capital every day testifying, listening, and making public education allies.
Public Education Organizations like: ATPE, TSTA, FTA, Texans 4 Public Education, Watching Austin, Project Educo, Texans Take Action, and Chris Tackett were testifying, researching, contacting, and getting information out to the the masses of people of Texas who were depending on these legislators voting to support both active and retired employees. These organizations fought for public education issues.
Making the difference in the outcome of this year’s session was the organization of thousands of members of all these organizations across Texas visiting, calling and emailing legislators every day during the session. One contact or calling a few times was not enough to get the job done. Repeated contacts were required to make a difference.
The next session will be even harder. Organization is the key to success. Teachers, counselors, librarians, para-professionals, cafeteria workers, bus people, maintenance, administrators, school boards, retirees, parents, and grandparents must work together for public education.
Everyone across the state who receives a TRS monthly annuity will receive the 13th check. If you would like more information on the 13th check or would like to be updated on pro public education issues, please contact Freestone County Retired Teachers or Alicia Smith, Legislative Chair, at als75840@yahoo.com.
