This Wednesday, February 11, the Senate Finance Committee will meet to discuss the imminent funding shortfall facing the TRS-Care retiree health insurance program. The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) will report that this shortfall has reached $768 million. As you may know already, if nothing is done by the Texas Legislature to address this crisis, our public education retirees could be facing massive premium increases, benefit reductions or both!
Now is the time to act!Please use this Action Alert to contact your Senator and ask for his or her help. We need every member of the Senate to be aware of the shortfall and how it may impact retirees living on fixed incomes. Simply stated, our TRS retirees cannot afford to absorb the huge cost of this funding shortfall.
Let’s work hard this session to ensure that the TRS-Care crisis is resolved and that retirees are not bearing the burden of the shortfall! Let’s tell our Senators that TRS-Care should be a priority during the 84th Legislative Session!
Be your own best advocate. Share this email with your fellow retirees and any active educators you may know and ask them to get in touch with their Senators as well.
Thank You!
Please be sure to stay tuned into the Inside Line throughout the 84th Legislative Session, as we will be bringing you all the latest updates on our broad legislative agenda, including any bills concerning TRS-Care, the continued funding of the TRS pension trust fund, pension increases for all TRS retirees, and also congressional issues such as the WEP and GPO.
Thank you for your membership in the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA). If you are not a member of TRTA and want more information about joining, please contact us at 1.800.880.1650. Follow us on Facebook! Visit our YouTube channel for regular video updates.
The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) continues to address major legislative initiatives during the 84th Texas Legislature. Our initiatives include funding the TRS-Care health insurance program‘s nearly $750 million shortfall. TRTA is also protecting the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) defined benefit pension plan and the provisions and contributions put into place in 2013 by Senate Bill 1458.
Things are now happening very quickly in the Texas Legislature. Yesterday, February 4, members of the Texas House Committees were named.
TRTA members should pay especially close attention to the Appropriations (Article III) and Pensions committees, as those committees will be responsible for determining any changes made to the pension fund or TRS-Care. For a complete list of all Texas House committees and their members, please read below.
Next Wednesday, February 11, the Senate Finance Committee will meet to discuss issues related to funding for the TRS pension fund and TRS-Care. If you have a computer and would like to watch live video coverage of the meeting, you can click on this link the day of the meeting. The meeting will begin at approximately 9:00 a.m.
TRS will discuss the size of the shortfall for the retiree health insurance program during the Senate Finance Committee meeting. As we mentioned above, the shortfall is projected to be close to $750 million. The final number that will be used for consideration for the legislative budget process will be revealed at next week’s meeting.
Watch Tim Lee’s exclusive video footage about what’s been happening in your Texas Legislature!
WEP Update
Though much of our focus is on the Texas Legislature, we also want to share some good news about movement on the federal repeal of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). Near the end of 2014, Congressman Kevin Brady (R-TX) and Representative Richard Neal (D-MA) introduced the Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act. The bill was refiled for the 114th Congress yesterday, and has a new bill number: 711. HR 711 has now been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
TRTA will release another Inside Line article about HR 711 next week, as well as an Action Alert that will allow our members to contact their congressmen in support of the bill. Keep an eye out for next week’s alert!
Texas House Committees
Agriculture & Livestock
CHAIR: King, Tracy
VICE-CHAIR: Anderson, Charles “Doc”
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: González, Mary
Springer, Jr., Drew
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: District 17
Rinaldi, Matt
Simpson, David
Appropriations
CHAIR: Otto, John
VICE-CHAIR: Turner, Sylvester
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Burkett, Cindy
Davis, Sarah
Dukes, Dawnna
Giddings, Helen
Gonzales, Larry
Howard, Donna
Hughes, Bryan
Márquez, Marisa
McClendon, Ruth Jones
Miles, Borris L.
Price, Four
Walle, Armando
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Ashby, Trent
Bell, Jr., Cecil
Bonnen, Greg
Capriglione, Giovanni
Koop, Linda
Longoria, Oscar
Miller, Rick
Muñoz, Jr., Sergio
Phelan, Dade
Raney, John
Rodriguez, Justin
Sheffield, J.D.
VanDeaver, Gary
Business & Industry
CHAIR: Oliveira, René
VICE-CHAIR: Simmons, Ron
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Collier, Nicole
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Fletcher, Allen
Rinaldi, Matt
Romero, Jr., Ramon
Villalba, Jason
Calendars
CHAIR: Hunter, Todd
VICE-CHAIR: Lucio III, Eddie
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Alonzo, Roberto
Cook, Byron
Davis, Sarah
Geren, Charlie
Giddings, Helen
Harless, Patricia
Huberty, Dan
Johnson, Eric
King, Ken
Larson, Lyle
Price, Four
Riddle, Debbie
Rodriguez, Eddie
Corrections
CHAIR: Murphy, Jim
VICE-CHAIR: White, James
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Allen, Alma
District 13
Keough, Mark
Krause, Matt
Tinderholt, Tony
County Affairs
CHAIR: Coleman, Garnet
VICE-CHAIR: Farias, Joe
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Farias, Joe
Romero, Jr., Ramon
Spitzer, Stuart
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Burrows, Dustin
District 13
Stickland, Jonathan
Tinderholt, Tony
Wu, Gene
Criminal Jurisprudence
CHAIR: Herrero, Abel
VICE-CHAIR: Moody, Joseph
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Moody, Joseph
Simpson, David
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Canales, Terry
Hunter, Todd
Leach, Jeff
Shaheen, Matt
Culture, Recreation & Tourism
CHAIR: Guillen, Ryan
VICE-CHAIR: Dukes, Dawnna
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Larson, Lyle
Smith, Wayne
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Frullo, John
Márquez, Marisa
Murr, Andrew
Defense & Veterans’ Affairs
CHAIR: King, Susan
VICE-CHAIR: Frank, James
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Schaefer, Matt
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Aycock, Jimmie Don
Blanco, César José
Farias, Joe
Shaheen, Matt
Economic & Small Business Development
CHAIR: Button, Angie Chen
VICE-CHAIR: Johnson, Eric
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Anderson, Charles “Doc”
Rodriguez, Eddie
Vo, Hubert
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Faircloth, Wayne
Isaac, Jason
Metcalf, Will
Villalba, Jason
Elections
CHAIR: Laubenberg, Jodie
VICE-CHAIR: Goldman, Craig
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Fallon, Pat
Israel, Celia
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Phelan, Dade
Reynolds, Ron
Schofield, Mike
Energy Resources
CHAIR: Darby, Drew
VICE-CHAIR: Paddie, Chris
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Anchia, Rafael
Craddick, Tom
Herrero, Abel
King, Phil
Riddle, Debbie
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Canales, Terry
Dale, Tony
Keffer, Jim
Landgraf, Brooks
Meyer, Morgan
Wu, Gene
Environmental Regulation
CHAIR: Morrison, Geanie
VICE-CHAIR: Rodriguez, Eddie
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Kacal, Kyle
Reynolds, Ron
Thompson, Ed
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Isaac, Jason
King, Ken
King, Phil
Lozano, J. M.
General Investigating & Ethics
CHAIR: Kuempel, John
VICE-CHAIR: Collier, Nicole
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Davis, Sarah
Hunter, Todd
Larson, Lyle
Moody, Joseph
Turner, Chris
Government Transparency & Operation
CHAIR: Elkins, Gary
VICE-CHAIR: Walle, Armando
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Leach, Jeff
Turner, Scott
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Galindo, Rick
Gonzales, Larry
Gutierrez, Roland
Higher Education
CHAIR: Zerwas, John
VICE-CHAIR: Howard, Donna
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Crownover, Myra
Morrison, Geanie
Zerwas, John
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Alonzo, Roberto
Clardy, Travis
Martinez, Armando
Raney, John
Turner, Chris
Homeland Security & Public Safety
CHAIR: Phillips, Larry
VICE-CHAIR: Nevárez, Poncho
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Metcalf, Will
White, Molly
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Burns, DeWayne
Dale, Tony
Johnson, Eric
Moody, Joseph
Wray, John
House Administration
CHAIR: Geren, Charlie
VICE-CHAIR: Márquez, Marisa
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Allen, Alma
Alonzo, Roberto
Ashby, Trent
Farney, Marsha
Howard, Donna
King, Ken
Paddie, Chris
Raney, John
Vo, Hubert
Human Services
CHAIR: Raymond, Richard Peña
VICE-CHAIR: Rose, Toni
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Klick, Stephanie
Naishtat, Elliott
Peña, Gilbert
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Keough, Mark
King, Susan
Price, Four
Spitzer, Stuart
Insurance
CHAIR: Frullo, John
VICE-CHAIR: Muñoz, Jr., Sergio
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Muñoz, Jr., Sergio
Sheets, Kenneth
Workman, Paul
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Bonnen, Greg
Guerra, R.D. “Bobby”
Meyer, Morgan
Paul, Dennis
Vo, Hubert
International Trade & Intergovernmental Affairs
CHAIR: Anchia, Rafael
VICE-CHAIR: Lozano, J. M.
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Koop, Linda
Lozano, J. M.
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Anderson, Rodney
Burrows, Dustin
District 123
Turner, Scott
Investments & Financial Services
CHAIR: Parker, Tan
VICE-CHAIR: Longoria, Oscar
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Flynn, Dan
Parker, Tan
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Capriglione, Giovanni
Landgraf, Brooks
Pickett, Joe
Stephenson, Phil
Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
CHAIR: Smithee, John
VICE-CHAIR: Farrar, Jessica
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Hernandez, Ana
Laubenberg, Jodie
Raymond, Richard Peña
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Clardy, Travis
Schofield, Mike
Sheets, Kenneth
Thompson, Senfronia
Juvenile Justice & Family Issues
CHAIR: Dutton, Jr., Harold
VICE-CHAIR: Riddle, Debbie
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Rose, Toni
White, James
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Hughes, Bryan
Peña, Gilbert
Sanford, Scott
Land & Resource Management
CHAIR: Deshotel, Joe
VICE-CHAIR: Thompson, Ed
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Bell, Jr., Cecil
District 17
Krause, Matt
Lucio III, Eddie
Sanford, Scott
Licensing & Administrative Procedures
CHAIR: Smith, Wayne
VICE-CHAIR: Gutierrez, Roland
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Guillen, Ryan
Gutierrez, Roland
Thompson, Senfronia
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Geren, Charlie
Goldman, Craig
Kuempel, John
Miles, Borris L.
Miller, Doug
Local & Consent Calendars
CHAIR: Thompson, Senfronia
VICE-CHAIR: Clardy, Travis
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Burkett, Cindy
Capriglione, Giovanni
Dale, Tony
Gonzales, Larry
Guerra, R.D. “Bobby”
Gutierrez, Roland
Isaac, Jason
Muñoz, Jr., Sergio
Nevárez, Poncho
Sheets, Kenneth
Springer, Jr., Drew
Natural Resources
CHAIR: Keffer, Jim
VICE-CHAIR: Ashby, Trent
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Bonnen, Dennis
Keffer, Jim
King, Tracy
Lucio III, Eddie
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Burns, DeWayne
Frank, James
Kacal, Kyle
Larson, Lyle
Nevárez, Poncho
Workman, Paul
Pensions
CHAIR: Flynn, Dan
VICE-CHAIR: Alonzo, Roberto
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Alonzo, Roberto
Stephenson, Phil
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Hernandez, Ana
Klick, Stephanie
Paul, Dennis
Rodriguez, Justin
Public Education
CHAIR: Aycock, Jimmie Don
VICE-CHAIR: Allen, Alma
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Allen, Alma
Deshotel, Joe
Dutton, Jr., Harold
Farney, Marsha
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Bohac, Dwayne
Galindo, Rick
González, Mary
Huberty, Dan
King, Ken
VanDeaver, Gary
Public Health
CHAIR: Crownover, Myra
VICE-CHAIR: Naishtat, Elliott
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Coleman, Garnet
Guerra, R.D. “Bobby”
Sheffield, J.D.
Zedler, William “Bill”
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Blanco, César José
Collier, Nicole
Davis, Sarah
Miller, Rick
Zerwas, John
Redistricting
CHAIR: Lozano, J. M.
VICE-CHAIR: Davis, Yvonne
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Gonzales, Larry
Hunter, Todd
Keffer, Jim
Oliveira, René
Parker, Tan
Pickett, Joe
Thompson, Senfronia
Rules & Resolutions
CHAIR: McClendon, Ruth Jones
VICE-CHAIR: Kacal, Kyle
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Alvarado, Carol
Bell, Jr., Cecil
Blanco, César José
Button, Angie Chen
Faircloth, Wayne
Murr, Andrew
Rodriguez, Justin
Rose, Toni
Sheffield, J.D.
Special Purpose Districts
CHAIR: Miller, Doug
VICE-CHAIR: Alvarado, Carol
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Miller, Doug
Stickland, Jonathan
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Faircloth, Wayne
Fallon, Pat
Martinez Fischer, Trey
Zedler, William “Bill”
State Affairs
CHAIR: Cook, Byron
VICE-CHAIR: Giddings, Helen
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Farrar, Jessica
Menéndez, José
Oliveira, René
Smithee, John
Turner, Sylvester
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Craddick, Tom
Farney, Marsha
Geren, Charlie
Harless, Patricia
Huberty, Dan
Kuempel, John
Transportation
CHAIR: Pickett, Joe
VICE-CHAIR: Martinez, Armando
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Davis, Yvonne
Fletcher, Allen
Martinez, Armando
Phillips, Larry
Pickett, Joe
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Burkett, Cindy
Harless, Patricia
Israel, Celia
McClendon, Ruth Jones
Menéndez, José
Murr, Andrew
Paddie, Chris
Simmons, Ron
Urban Affairs
CHAIR: Alvarado, Carol
VICE-CHAIR: Hunter, Todd
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Anderson, Rodney
District 123
Elkins, Gary
Schaefer, Matt
White, Molly
Ways & Means
CHAIR: Bonnen, Dennis
VICE-CHAIR: Davis, Yvonne
SENIORITY APPOINTMENTS: Bohac, Dwayne
Button, Angie Chen
Murphy, Jim
Turner, Chris
SPEAKER APPOINTMENTS: Darby, Drew
Martinez Fischer, Trey
Parker, Tan
Springer, Jr., Drew
Wray, John
Proclamation Appointment Of Select Committee On Emerging Issues In Texas Law Enforcement
Fletcher, Allen, Chair
Dukes, Dawnna, Vice-Chair
Flynn, Dan
Koop, Linda
Márquez, Marisa
Martinez, Armando
White, James
Proclamation Appointment Of Select Committee On State and Federal Power and Responsibility
King, Phil, Chair
Workman, Paul, Vice-Chair
Anderson, Charles “Doc”
Clardy, Travis
Miles, Borris L.
Parker, Tan
Walle, Armando
Thank You!
Please be sure to stay tuned into the Inside Line throughout the 84th Legislative Session, as we will be bringing you all the latest updates on bills concerning TRS-Care and the continued funding of the TRS pension trust fund, as well as congressional issues.
Thank you for your membership in the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA). If you are not a member of TRTA and want more information about joining, please contact us at 1.800.880.1650. Follow us on Facebook! Visit our YouTube channel for regular video updates.
The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) is busy addressing our major legislative initiatives during the 84th Texas Legislature. These initiatives include addressing the nearly $750 million shortfall facing the TRS-Care health insurance program. TRTA is also focused on protecting the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) defined benefit pension plan, which was made actuarially sound through legislation passed in 2013 (Senate Bill 1458). This session, TRTA will work with legislators to find ways to improve benefits for all TRS retirees.
Members of the Texas Senate were named to committees late last week. TRTA members should pay especially close attention to the Senate Finance and Senate State Affairs committees, as those committees will be responsible for determining any changes made to the pension fund or TRS-Care.
As of today, the Texas House committee members have not yet been named. We expect to hear more about House committee appointments soon.
TRTA is working closely with several legislators to propose legislation that would provide a great benefit to TRS retirees. We will keep you posted on these efforts as they develop.
For a complete list of all Texas Senate committees and their members, please read below:
Committee on Administration
Hancock, Kelly | Chair
Uresti, Carlos | Vice Chair
Campbell, Donna
Eltife, Kevin
Huffines, Don
Schwertner, Charles
West, Royce
Committee on Agriculture, Water and Rural Affairs
Perry, Charles | Chair
Zaffirini, Judith | Vice Chair
Creighton, Brandon
Hall, Bob
Hinojosa, Juan “Chuy”
Kolkhorst, Lois
Rodriguez, José
Committee on Business and Commerce
Eltife, Kevin | Chair
Creighton, Brandon | Vice Chair
Ellis, Rodney
Huffines, Don
Schwertner, Charles
Seliger, Kel
Taylor, Larry
Watson, Kirk
Whitmire, John
Committee on Criminal Justice
Whitmire, John | Chair
Huffman, Joan | Vice Chair
Burton, Konni
Creighton, Brandon
Hinojosa, Juan “Chuy”
Perry, Charles
Van de Putte, Leticia
Committee on Education
Taylor, Larry | Chair
Lucio Eddie, Jr. | Vice Chair
Bettencourt, Paul
Campbell, Donna
Garcia, Sylvia
Huffines, Don
Kolkhorst, Lois
Rodriguez, José
Seliger, Kel
Taylor, Van
West, Royce
Committee on Finance
Nelson, Jane | Chair
Hinojosa, Juan “Chuy” | Vice Chair
Bettencourt, Paul
Eltife, Kevin
Hancock, Kelly
Huffman, Joan
Kolkhorst, Lois
Nichols, Robert
Schwertner, Charles
Seliger, Kel
Taylor, Larry
Uresti, Carlos
Watson, Kirk
West, Royce
Whitmire, John
Committee on Health and Human Services
Schwertner, Charles | Chair
Kolkhorst, Lois | Vice Chair
Campbell, Donna
Estes, Craig
Perry, Charles
Rodriguez, José
Taylor, Van
Uresti, Carlos
Zaffirini, Judith
Committee on Higher Education
Seliger, Kel | Chair
West, Royce | Vice Chair
Bettencourt, Paul
Burton, Konni
Perry, Charles
Van de Putte, Leticia
Watson, Kirk
Committee on Intergovernmental Relations
Lucio, Eddie Jr. | Chair
Bettencourt, Paul | Vice Chair
Campbell, Donna
Garcia, Sylvia
Nichols, Robert
Taylor, Larry
Van de Putte, Leticia
Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development
Fraser, Troy | Chair
Estes, Craig | Vice Chair
Birdwell, Brian
Hall, Bob
Hancock, Kelly
Hinojosa, Juan “Chuy”
Lucio, Eddie Jr.
Nichols, Robert
Uresti, Carlos
Seliger, Kel
Zaffirini, Judith
Committee on Nominations
Birdwell, Brian | Chair
Taylor, Van | Vice Chair
Burton, Konni
Fraser, Troy
Estes, Craig
Rodriguez, José
Watson, Kirk
Committee on State Affairs
Huffman, Joan | Chair
Ellis, Rodney | Vice Chair
Birdwell, Brian
Creighton, Brandon
Estes, Craig
Fraser, Troy
Nelson, Jane
Schwertner, Charles
Zaffirini, Judith
Committee on Transportation
Nichols, Robert | Chair
Huffines, Don | Vice Chair
Ellis, Rodney
Fraser, Troy
Garcia, Sylvia
Hall, Bob
Hancock, Kelly
Kolkhorst, Lois
Taylor, Van
Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations
Campbell, Donna | Chair
Burton, Konni | Vice Chair
Birdwell, Brian
Garcia, Sylvia
Hall, Robert
Lucio, Eddie Jr.
Rodriguez, José
Border Security Subcommittee
Birdwell, Brian | Chair
Hall, Bob | Vice Chair
Lucio, Eddie Jr.
Thank You!
Please be sure to stay tuned into the Inside Line throughout the 84th Legislative Session, as we will be bringing you all the latest updates on bills concerning TRS-Care and the continued funding of the TRS pension trust fund.
Thank you for your membership in the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA). If you are not a member of TRTA and want more information about joining, please contact us at 1.800.880.1650. Follow us on Facebook! Visit our YouTube channel for regular video updates.
