SB 1458 in Texas House Tomorrow—Phone Calls Needed
TRTA Call Your Legislator Hotline: 1.888.674.3788
Dear TRTA Members and Friends,
You have done a great job expressing the importance of SB 1458. Your TRTA legislative team has visited with every House member, asking for their support. We know you have too, and the work is paying off!
As of this morning, we have heard that over 60 House members support the legislation. There are more than 25 undecided members. Of all the information received, not a single House member has expressed opposition to the plan.
There seems to be hope that more is possible with this legislation. There is no doubt that SB 1458 came out of the Senate as a very heavily negotiated and EXTREMELY delicate, balanced plan. Amending this legislation in the House may lead to its defeat.
TRTA has worked actively to increase the COLA. We want to assure you that the most number of retirees possible are helped by this bill. If there is a way to help more retirees, we will work to make it happen.
We also know that the passing of SB 1458, a bill we refer to as the actuarial soundness bill, ensures long-term solvency of the fund and that retirees are not forgotten.
This plan makes future raises much more likely, and protects the retirement security of 1.3 million Texans.
The most important thing our members can do right now is call their legislators and ask them to support the sponsor of SB 1458 in the Texas House, Chairman Bill Callegari.
TRTA is in regular communication with Chairman Callegari. His leadership is vital to the passage of this bill, but he cannot do it alone.
Let your Representative know that TRTA is urging them to follow Callegari’s lead on SB 1458!
Your emails have been great: you have sent tens of thousands! Our legislators need to HEARyour voice. Let them know TRTA by our kindness and passionate support of public education retirees. Educate them on the value of making the fund sound, and let them know your desire to get SB 1458 passed.
Confidence and kind words of appreciation will do more to inspire goodwill towards this legislation than anything else we can do at this time.
We are working every moment of every day to protect your TRS benefits. We want the best for all TRS members, both retired and active. That starts with making sure the fund will be strong now and in the future. That assurance can be renewed with the passage of SB 1458!
Thank you for all you do. TRTA members interested in coming to the Capitol on Friday to watch the proceedings are encouraged to arrive no later than 10:30 a.m. While we have no guarantee of when the bill will be heard, you should prepare to stay as late as 4:00 p.m. TRTA legislative team members will be involved on your behalf until the very last vote is counted!
