TRS-Care: All Member, Statewide Action Alert!
CLICK HERE TO CONTACT YOUR SENATOR: All TRTA members are asked send an email urging Senators to “Keep TRS-Care Affordable!” The 85th Legislative Session began on January 10, 2017, and movement on issues impacting public education retirees is happening quickly! The Senate Finance Committee has met multiple times to discuss the TRS–Care health insurance program, […]
TRTA Day at the Capitol Announced: March 29, 2017!
TRTA Day at the Capitol is set for Wednesday, March 29, 2017 on the heels of the 64thAnnual TRTA Convention. Day at the Capitol raises awareness on Texas public education retirees’ most important issues and encourages immediate legislative action to address them. TRTA is expecting a big crowd! District and local leaders are making transportation […]
TRTA 64th Annual Convention Registration Deadline Nearing
Plans are underway for the 64th Annual TRTA Convention, which will be held in Austin March 27-28, 2017 at the Hilton (located at 500 E. 4th Street). This year, a truncated convention will occur on March 27 and 28, followed by a Day at the Capitol on March 29 where members will have the opportunity […]
House Appropriations Subcommittee Hears Testimony From TRS, TRTA
Today, February 20, 2017, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Article III listened to invited testimony from multiple state agencies, including the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), as well as public testimony. The House budget bill will include funding for the TRS-Care retiree health insurance program. The Appropriations Subcommittee on Article III is responsible for […]
House Committee Assignments Announced
House Speaker Joe Straus (R-San Antonio) released his committee assignments for the 85th Texas Legislature today. In particular, Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) members should be aware of the House Appropriations Committee and the Pensions Committee. The House budget bill will include funding for the TRS-Care retiree health insurance program. The Appropriations Committee will be […]
Senate Finance Work Group on Health Care Costs Meets
Today, Friday, February 3, the special work group appointed by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Jane Nelson to consider cost containment measures for state-vested health care plans met and heard testimony. Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) Executive Director Tim Lee was invited to testify. The following Senators serve on the work group: Charles Schwertner, Chair; Joan […]
Senate Finance Committee Continues Discussions on Funding Health Care
Today, February 1, 2017, the Senate Finance Committee met to continue its discussion about funding vital programs in the state budget, including the TRS-Care retiree health insurance plan. The committee’s discussion picks up from a meeting held on January 24. You can read TRTA’s comprehensive overview of last week’s meeting by clicking here. Funding for […]
Texas Retired Teachers Foundation Scholarship and Grant Applications Now Available!
Most of the members of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) know about and support our organization’s charitable arm, the Texas Retired Teachers Foundation (TRTF). The Foundation operates several wonderful programs for Texas educators of the past, present, and future, including scholarships and grants! This year, TRTF is offering a great new opportunity for soon-to-be […]
Take Our TRS-Care Survey
The Texas Senate Finance Committee is set to hear testimony on costs surrounding the state-run teacher retirement health care program, TRS-Care, on Wednesday, February 1. The hearing will begin at 9:00 a.m. The Executive Director of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA), Tim Lee, will be testifying on behalf of retirees. If you are a […]
Senate Finance Committee Meeting Overview: The First of Many Discussions to Come
Executive Summary: The Senate Finance committee received budget recommendations from the Legislative Budget Board about the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. The committee received testimony from TRS Executive Director Brian Guthrie and TRTA Executive Director Tim Lee. In the absence of additional funding, Guthrie explained TRS-Care would cease to exist. Lee offered retirees’ assistance to […]