On Wednesday, March 26, Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) members from across the state convened at the Capitol in Austin to meet with legislators and lobby for TRTA’s priorities in the 89th Legislative Session.
These priorities include maintaining a solvent TRS pension fund by fully funding the statutory contribution rates and using excess state revenues to help reduce the unfunded liability, providing a benefit enhancement to help offset the negative impact of inflation, and maintaining and protecting TRS-Care health insurance by fully funding the current statutory contribution rates.
Members attending from the West Grayson Retired School Personnel Association (WGRSPA) included President Sue Barker, past President Glenda Coulson, co-2nd Vice President Sharon Lively, co-2nd VP/Legislative chairperson TR Fletcher, Parliamentarian Harold Tamplen and members Cladene Belcher, Mary Nan Story and Becky Steele.
A special moment for West Grayson members occurred when they were able to meet teen Eliseo Jimenez, a Lubbock High School student who this past summer walked from Lubbock all the way to Washington D.C. to advocate for the repeal of the Congressional Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)/Government Pension Offset (GPO) laws.
The teen spent 40 grueling days and nights alone on his journey of 1,649 miles. Jimenez’s journey was inspired by his grandmother, a retired educator who was trying to live on her teacher retirement and minimal Social Security.
At the Capitol, Jimenez was recognized by President Biden on the day he signed the repeal of WEP and GPO into law. These federal laws prevented education retirees from collecting their full amount of earned Social Security as well as denying spousal benefits to pensioners earning public pensions.
TRTA, as well as other public employees’ organizations in 17 states, led the fight in Washington to get these unfair laws that had denied these benefits to educators, firefighters, police officers and other public workers. As a result of the repeal of these two laws, which were signed by President Biden on the last day of his presidency, these public servants will now be able to draw the full amount of Social Security they have earned as well as spousal benefits to those eligible.
West Grayson members attended the morning session of the House of Representatives where a number of legislators thanked them for their years of service in education. Members also celebrated the recent repeal of the Congressional WEP and GPO with a rousing standing ovation in the House Gallery.
After leaving the House Session, West Grayson members visited the offices of Grayson County Representative Shelley Luther and Senator Brent Hagenbuch, where they met with aides and discussed the TRTA priorities and asked for their support of these priorities.
Rounding out the day’s activities, members enjoyed a boxed lunch provided by TRTA and ice cream by Amy’s Ice Cream of Austin on the east Capitol lawn while enjoying country singer Billy Scott entertain with both new and old country hits.
WGRSPA is still accepting applications for a number of scholarships given to education majors entering their junior year of college and to other graduates who may want to work toward higher education certifications. Interested students and professionals wanting to apply are encouraged to contact Judy Rue, scholarship chairperson, at 903-651-3061.
WGRSPA meets the first Tuesday of the month at Las Haciendas restaurant in Whitesboro at 11:30 a.m. for lunch and meeting at noon. All public education employees are encouraged to join as WGRSPA works to improve the benefits for retirees and for fellowship. Through their efforts they helped thousands of retired public employees start to receive the benefits they earned outside their public servant jobs as well as continuing to work for improved benefits for retirees and active teachers.
