Texas House Select Committee on State and Federal Power and Responsibility Discuss Resolution to Repeal GPO, WEP
Today, the Texas House Select Committee on State and Federal Power and Responsibility met to discuss several bills, including HCR 101, a resolution that would urge Congress to repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) of the Social Security Act. Members of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) know about […]
Senate Bill 788 Pulled From Consideration
Earlier today Senator Joan Huffman (R-Houston) removed Senate Bill 788 from the docket to be considered by the Senate. The bill would have made major reforms to TRS-Care, including creating a high deductible health care plan for pre-65 retired educators and switching all Medicare eligible retirees to Medicare Advantage. Now that the bill has been […]
TRS-Care: What’s Next
Dear TRTA Member, Thank you for your tireless advocacy efforts in protecting your benefits provided by the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS). Your calls, emails and visits to legislators are truly making a difference. Legislators have heard your voice, and are formulating plans to try to help our cause. However, many legislators are preparing […]
Texas Senate to Vote on SB 788
Use our Action Alert to email your Senator today or call 1-888-674-3788 to talk to your Senator today! The Texas Senate is preparing to vote on SB 788. SB 788 proposes to dramatically alter the state-run retiree health insurance program, TRS-Care. SB 788 is on the state’s intent calendar. Bills on the intent calendar can […]
Texas House Passes Budget Bill, Provides An Additional $500 Million For TRS-Care
The Texas House of Representatives passed its budget this morning. The budget includes the statutory contribution to TRS-Care as well as $500 million coming out of the Economic Stabilization Fund, also known as the Rainy Day Fund. The statutory state contribution for TRS-Care is 1 percent of active educator payroll. Representatives debated the bill early […]
MEMBER ACTION ALERT – House Voting Thursday On TRS-Care Funding!
The Texas House of Representatives is set to take the most important vote of the legislative session regarding TRS-Care! Click here to send an email to your representative encouraging them to fund TRS-Care! On Thursday, April 6, 2017, the Texas House is scheduled to debate and vote on Senate Bill 1, the appropriations bill for […]
Senate State Affairs Discusses TRS-Care Bill
The Senate State Affairs Committee discussed a proposal today to make sweeping changes to TRS-Care, the state-run retiree health insurance program. Senate Bill 788 would eliminate TRS-Care 1, 2 and 3. The bill would require a high-deductible plan for participants under the age of 65 and a Medicare Advantage plan for all Medicare eligible participants. […]
TRTA Hosts Successful Convention and Day at the Capitol
The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) held its 64th Annual Convention this week in Austin on March 27-28, followed by a rousing day of advocacy at the Texas Capitol on March 29, where nearly 1,500 TRTA members and friends convened to rally and meet with their legislators. The convention was a two-day affair held at […]
TRTA 64th Annual Convention and Day at the Capitol Next Week! Member Action Alert Included!
Click here to send an email to your legislators inviting them to join TRTA for Day at the Capitol on March 29! The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) is finalizing plans for the 64th Annual TRTA Convention to be held in Austin March 27-28, 2017. Nearly 1,000 retirees are registered for the event already, which […]
Senate Finance Committee Update: Proposed Budget Includes $311 Million Towards TRS-Care
The Senate Finance Committee met today, March 22, to finalize Senate Bill 1 (SB1). SB1 will determine the State’s general appropriations for the upcoming biennium. The Senate Finance Committee voted unanimously, 15-0, to approve SB1 and send it to the Senate floor. Senator Jane Nelson, (R-Flower Mound) announced that SB1 will be presented to the […]