The Texas House Committee on Appropriations met today and discussed funding for a benefit enhancement for retired educators. Proyecto de ley del Senado 30 would provide $1 billion for a benefit enhancement to Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) annuitants.
Tim Lee, TRTA’s Executive Director, provided testimony to the committee in support of the bill. Lee thanked the legislators for their work to help retired educators.
Lee shared his experience with TRTA member Helen Spivy, whose story appeared on the news last week.
Lee sat in Spivy’s home as she told her heart wrenching story of losing her spousal Social Security benefits when her husband passed away two years ago, adding that now “she lives on around $2,000 a month.”
According to Lee, Spivy expressed her gratitude to the elected officials who voted for past supplemental checks funded by the Texas Legislature, but now she needs a cost-of-living increase to help her cover month-to-month costs and to plan her budget.
Lee said that retirees are hoping that legislators can find a path to both a supplemental payment and a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to help retirees catch up on bills and plan for the future.
The need for financial relief for TRS retirees from the Legislature is emphasized in an editorial that appeared in the Austin American-Statesman on Sunday, March 19.
Mark Your Calendars: Committees to Discuss COLA Bills This Week
Two more important legislative committee meetings are upcoming this week.
The Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services Committee meets on Wednesday, March 22 at 8 a.m. CST and will discuss House Bill 600. You will be able to view the meeting from this website once it is called to order.
The Senate Finance Committee meets on Wednesday, March 22 at 9 a.m. CST and will discuss Senate Bill 10. You will be able to view the meeting from this website once it is called to order.
Gracias
Gracias por su membresía en TRTA. Estamos luchando ardientemente por sus beneficios todos los días en el Capitolio. Si aún no es miembro de TRTA, por favor únete aquí.
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