Texas Senate Receives Testimony From Laura and John Arnold Foundation Vice-President, Josh McGee

The Texas Senate’s Committee on Nominations received testimony today from Josh McGee, who serves as the chair of the Pension Review Board (PRB).

McGee was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott to chair the board in November 2015, and has since been working in that role. The Committee on Nominations’ purpose is to decide whether or not to approve Abbott’s nominations to a variety of boards and commissions throughout the state.

McGee received many questions from the committee about his role as Vice-President of the Laura and John Arnold Foundation. The Laura and John Arnold Foundation is a Houston-based nonprofit, which is primarily supported by former Enron executive and hedge fund manager, John Arnold. Chief among the Foundation’s goals is public pension reform, with an emphasis on converting public workers to defined contribution plans.

The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) is a defined benefit plan, and changing it to a defined contribution plan could severely damage benefits for Texas public education retirees. DB plans promise a benefit for life, while the benefits available through DC plans can be outlived. Because 95 percent of Texas school employees do not pay into the federal Social Security program, the TRS DB plan is often their only form of financial security in retirement.

In his testimony to the Senate, McGee said he does not hold any preferences on pension plan design.

“Any type of plan can be designed well or designed poorly,” McGee said. “We want benefit plans that provide workers a secure retirement.”

However, McGee has written many op-eds for the Manhattan Institute, a public policy think-tank. In his op-eds, McGee has shown a strong, consistent preference for defined contribution plans.

Sen. Brian Birdwell (R-Granbury) questioned McGee about his work and how it might impact his recommendations to the state. Birdwell expressed that many of his constituents, primarily retired teachers, police and firefighters, had a “distinct concern” about McGee’s appointment.

When asked about his ability to separate his work for the Manhattan Institute and the Pension Review Board McGee said, “The expertise I use is the same for both sides… My positions are consistent.”

TRS will be up for review from the Sunset Commission in 2019. The Sunset Commission is responsible for deciding whether to keep open Texas agencies or to combine them with other state agencies. The sunset review may provide the perfect time for defined contribution proponents to lay claim to changing TRS’s plan design.

TRTA and our members must stay vigilant in protecting the TRS defined benefit plan. Since its creation, TRS has never once missed a payment to its annuitants, and we need to keep it that way!

When McGee was announced as the appointment to the Pension Review Board, TRTA expressed its opposition. Based on today’s conversation, it is extremely likely that McGee will be approved as the nomination to the PRB.

We will continue to monitor and update McGee’s appointment as it continues to develop. We would also like to thank senators Joan Huffman (R-Houston), Kirk Watson (D-Austin), Jose Menendez (D-San Antonio), and Borris Miles (D-Houston) for questioning Josh McGee about his position on sustaining defined benefit plans and his role on the PRB.

The March is On to the 64^th Annual TRTA Convention

Members of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) from all over the state will be visiting Austin March 27-28 for TRTA’s 64^th Annual Convention.

Plans are being finalized for two fun-filled, productive days in Austin, where members will all work toward the same goal: Teamwork! This year’s convention theme, Teamwork is Key, is the perfect sentiment to match TRTA’s drive to succeed as we march forward during this challenging legislative session!

There is no better time to be in Austin! The Texas Legislature is in regular session, discussing the TRS-Care health insurance program and ways to protect the longevity of benefits for our public education retirees and pre-retirees.

The convention will be held at the Hilton on 500 E. 4^th Street. Early registration for the convention is now closed. Late registration (on-site) will be available beginning Monday, March 27 at 10:00 a.m. The late registration fee is $45.

TRTA 64^th Annual Convention Schedule

TRTA is pleased to release the convention’s schedule of events.

Monday, March 27, 2017

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Below please see a list of all training and information sessions available on Tuesday, March 28:

Session II • 10:45 – 11:45 AM

TBD (After House of Delegates)

*Legislative • 6^th Floor, Salon FGH

*Treasurer Q & A • 6^th Floor, Salon FGH

*Please note, at the conclusion of the House of Delegates on Tuesday, March 28, Legislative Committee Chairman Bill Barnes will host a legislative training session for all who wish to attend. This is a great opportunity to get updates on the 85^th Legislative Session, learn the progress of any bills that have been filed, and learn techniques to help you advocate during TRTA’s Day at the Capitol event on March 29. Following the legislative training session will be a Q & A for district and local unit treasurers.

We look forward to seeing our members in Austin March 27-28 for convention, as well as for TRTA Day at the Capitol on March 29. TRTA will release more information about Day at the Capitol in tomorrow’s Inside Line.

Thank You

Thank you for your membership to TRTA. We are fighting ardently for your benefits every day at the Capitol. If you are not yet a TRTA member, please join here. Be sure to read our comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions about TRS-Care here.

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