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Legislative Updates

Legislative Update No. 73, Session 79
By Tim Lee, Executive DirectorPrinter Friendly ||| Print as PDF

October 31, 2006

TRTA Members Are Encouraged to Vote

A great deal has happened since the end of the last special legislative session that has helped vault TRS issues to the forefront of the current state elections.  TRTA members have worked diligently to educate candidates for political office about the circumstances long endured by retired educators by not receiving a pension increase while seeing their health insurance costs escalate and their benefits go down. 

At the same time, the TRTA state office is preparing for an extraordinarily busy legislative session by promoting the TRTA legislative agenda that includes improved funding for the TRS pension fund, TRS-Care health insurance program, a pension increase and more! 

In one week, people all over the state will participate in the much anticipated election.  TRTA members MUST be a part of this process and go to the polls thinking about how potential candidates will respond to the issues impacting retirees' pensions and health care costs.  It goes without saying that the Texas Gubernatorial race has heated up in the last few weeks, and TRTA members should review the gubernatorial candidate responses closely as they consider their vote for those candidates.  It is also important to know how potential legislative candidates will respond to TRTA issues next session and TRTA included in that same bulletin a list of questions you may ask a candidate about their position on the TRTA legislative agenda. 

It is likely that many of you have already been or are involved in the democratic process by working for a political candidate, communicating with them about the TRTA legislative agenda, participating in a TRTA local unit legislative forum, or in some other capacity.  Now is the time to participate in the general election, and while many people see the election as the end of a long campaign season, TRTA members know too well that when the elections are over the real work begins!  That is, to make certain that the people elected to represent our best interests do, indeed, live up to the political commitments made during the election season and do what is needed to help all retired educators get a much deserved pension increase and reduce the out-of-control health insurance costs.

Below are several new pieces of information that you may find interesting.  The first is a link to the latest issue of TRTA News to Use.  If you are a district or local TRTA leader, it is likely that you have already received this as a print document.  All TRTA members are encouraged to read about some of the good legislative news and what is being done to prepare for the next legislative session.  This link will take you to the digital version of News to Use on the TRTA web site. 

Another item included below is a copy of an email from Robby Collins, President of the Dallas Retired Teachers Association.  The email stresses the importance of everyone interested in political issues to get out and vote, especially as electoral victory margins are growing smaller and smaller.  If you want your candidate to win, make sure you vote!

Over the next month, TRTA will be preparing its last News Bulletin for the year.  That issue will focus on the upcoming legislative session and what TRTA members can do to help ensure that all elected officials respond to the critical issues impacting TRS and all retired educators.

TRTA News to Use - November 2006 

Get out and Vote Email
(Many other TRTA members have seen this email, as well. Source is Parent PAC, see below):

When Educators Vote, Great Candidates Win! 

 More than 50% of the school district employees in House District 94 in Arlington voted in the March primary election.  Pro-education candidate Diane Patrick won with 58% of the vote, defeating 10-term incumbent Kent Grusendorf by 1,665 votes. 

When Educators Don't Vote, Great Candidates Lose! 

About 27% of the school district employees in House District 73 in the Hill Country voted in the March primary election.  An extraordinary advocate for public education in Texas, Representative Carter Casteel, lost by 46 votes. 

School district employees who vote can make a difference in very close elections!

Early Voting:  October 23-November 3

To find your early vote location, contact the county clerk's office or visit www.votexas.com

Election Day: Tuesday, November 7

Source for turnout information: Texas Parent PAC, based on research by Opinion Analysts, Inc.

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