Seventeen members of the Gillespie County Retired Teachers Association joined over 1,200 retired public school educators from across Texas at the state capitol on April 12. The biennial event, âA Day at the Capitol,â is sponsored by the Texas Retired Teachers Association to allow members to advocate
Seventeen members of the Gillespie County Retired Teachers Association joined over 1,200 retired public school educators from across Texas at the state capitol on April 12.
The biennial event, “A Day at the Capitol,” is sponsored by the Texas Retired Teachers Association to allow members to advocate with state representatives on issues related to retirees and public education initiatives.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives, who had passed resolutions in honor of retired educators and school staff for their contributions, participated in recognition ceremonies. Retirees filled the galleries in both chambers for these events.
During the day, members met with their senators, representatives, and their staffs to discuss the recent bills to grant retirees a cost-of-living adjustment. The last COLA for all retirees was almost two decades ago, according to a spokesman. This annuity is the sole income for many public school retirees who are subject to federal laws that offset any earned Social Security.
The bills have passed out of both chambers and will go to a conference committee to reconcile differences before being considered by the governor.
The day ended with an ice cream social where some representatives and staff of TRTA joined retirees on the Capitol East Lawn.
TRTA executive director Tim Lee and Pensions Consultant Ronnie Jung of Fredericksburg updated the crowd on the progress of the bills. Several legislators also spoke in favor of the passage of a COLA for retirees.
GCRTA members, who recently celebrated 50 years in Fredericksburg, serve in many community volunteer activities and promote public education initiatives. Anyone who has retired from Texas public schools and higher education is encouraged to become a member.
For more information and to join TRTA and GCRTA, call Beverly Harrell at (830) 990-8184.