Tim Lee, the Texas Retired Teachers Association’s (TRTA) Executive Director, hosted a live event on Facebook and YouTube on July 11. He was joined by members of the TRTA Board of Directors and District Presidents.
During the live event, Lee announced TRTA’s plans to get out the vote for the November 7 election. The election will have a huge impact on retired educators. The election will have a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would provide eligible Texas retired educators with a cost-of-living adjustment.
Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) Eligibility
*(contingent upon the passage of the constitutional amendment; if approved by voters in November 2023, COLAs would start in January 2024)
- retired September 1, 2013 through August 31, 2020* 2%
- retired September 1, 2001 through August 31, 2013* 4%
- retired on or before August 31, 2001* 6%
TRTA has already created a flyer to educate voters about the constitutional amendment!
In August, the Texas Secretary of State will conduct a ballot drawing. Once this drawing occurs, we will know what the number for the constitutional amendment will be on the ballot.
TRTA will be working to educate members and non-members alike about the amendment throughout the summer and the fall. Part of this plan includes Lee’s local chapter tour. Starting in August, Lee will be traveling across Texas to visit local chapters and districts to educate and encourage votes for retirees to receive a COLA.
To supplement its massive grassroots advocacy campaign, TRTA will be providing members with tools to help inform their friends, family, and neighbors about the amendment and the need to get out and vote.
TRTA will also be active in local and social media to increase voter awareness of this critical amendment! Lee will be hosting a live event on Facebook and YouTube on the second Tuesday of each month.
You can read more about the COLA at this link.
Thank you for being a member of TRTA. We are asking members to please renew their dues with TRTA if they have not done so already. If you know someone who is not a member, please invite them to join us! There is strength in numbers and the surest way for us to accomplish success is to grow the organization.
