The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) is excited to announce our Day at the Capitol event on Wednesday, April 12, 2023! Retired public educators in Texas are looking forward to meeting with legislators, advocating for a much-needed cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), and enjoying fellowship during an old-fashioned ice cream social on the East Lawn. Your RSVP for Day at the Capitol helps TRTA collect an accurate headcount for all events. As in years past, TRTA encourages members to WEAR RED! Thank you and we look forward to seeing you all in April!
April 12, 2023 Projected Schedule:
- Please plan to arrive on the East Lawn between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. Members can head to the House Gallery around 9:30 a.m. to hear a resolution honoring TRS retirees. Likewise, members can head to the Senate Gallery around 10:30 a.m. to hear a similar resolution. Ice cream will be served on the East Lawn under the tent between 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. Legislators often join us to enjoy the sweet treats and share words of encouragement between these hours as well.
- Attendees are encouraged to set appointments with their legislators’ offices at a time convenient to them, their elected officials, and/or legislative staffers. Please use the Texas Legislature Online website to find contact information for your legislators.
Hotel Accommodations:
- TRTA has secured rooms and meeting space at the downtown Austin Hilton hotel (500 East 4th Street, Austin, TX 78701) for those who prefer to travel into the city the day before (April 11) and who want to begin the festivities early!
- Room reservations are still available at the Hilton and are best made online to ensure TRTA members receive the lowest room rate. Please visit www.trta.org/dac2023 to make your reservation. The cost of hotel rooms is $229 (single and double), $249 (triple), and $269 (quad). Please note, these rates do not include tax. Onsite parking will be $20 per night, a discounted rate just for TRTA members.
- Free festivities will be held at the Hilton hotel on April 11, including an informational session at 4:30 p.m. and evening celebration at 6:00 p.m. Members do not need to be staying at the Hilton to attend these events.
- Join us for a free information session at 4:30 p.m. in the Governor’s Ballroom featuring guest speaker, economist Dr. Ray Perryman. Dr. Perryman is known to many TRTA members for his work on the TRS Great Value brochure. He has been called a “genius” by The Wall Street Journal, a “world class scholar” by Business Week, the “unofficial state economist” by The New York Times, “the most quoted man in Texas” by Texas Monthly, and “the conscience of Texas” by NPR. This is a FREE, must-see event!
Parking Details:
- If you are staying overnight at the Hilton, onsite parking will be $20 per night, a discounted rate just for TRTA members. On April 12, TRTA will provide shuttle service from the Hilton to the Capitol and back.
- For individuals or small groups riding in personal vehicles and traveling to Austin the morning of April 12, parking is available at the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage (1201 San Jacinto Blvd.) one block from the east lawn. Garage access is available on both 12th Street (off of San Jacinto) and 13th street (off of Trinity). Parking garage rates are free for the first 2 hours, $1 for each half hour thereafter, with a maximum daily charge of $12.
- For groups riding to Day at the Capitol by chartered bus: Click on this map to see the area on Trinity Street adjacent to Waterloo Park between the 12th and 15th blocks where buses may park for free. Buses are able to park in this area after dropping off riders in the loading zone near the East Lawn. This guide shows the route for bus drivers to take after dropping off riders near the East Lawn to get to bus parking.