In November, we'll be voting on this proposed amendment to the Texas Constitution:
Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the 88th Legislature to provide a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to certain annuitants (retiree, surviving spouse or beneficiary) of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
Should Texans vote to approve this amendment in November? YES! Retired teachers haven't received a cost-of-living increase since 2004.
Why is this important? The Teacher Retirement System provides monthly payments to more than 475,000 retired Texas teachers. Without cost-of-living-adjustments (COLAs), our retired teachers find it harder and harder to keep up with their bills in retirement. For teachers first entering teaching, without a retirement system that keeps up with inflation, Texas has a hard time attracting and keeping quality teachers. According to Dallas Rep. John Bryant (D), only Texas and Louisiana have teacher retirement systems that do not offer cost of living adjustments and also do not let teachers participate in the federal Social Security system, which does provide annual inflation bumps.
“The Texas House moved retirees one step closer to getting the first raise in 10 years,” Tim Lee, executive director of the Texas Retired Teachers Association said “For most TRS retirees, it will be the first raise they’ve ever seen in their monthly annuity.”
No Nay votes were cast for this amendment in the Legislature.
Summary: Amendment HJR2 implements a long-overdue change in the Teacher’s Retirement System that will go a long way to attracting and retaining good teachers in Texas. It will keep Texas schools competitive and put resources directly to those educators who have stood by Texas by providing our children with the best education possible. Kudos to the legislature for prioritizing this issue - now it’s time for voters to do their part!
Obtain an acceptable ID for voting. If you don't have the listed photo ID, and could not reasonably get one, you can still vote by signing a form and bringing an acceptable alternate ID. You do NOT need your voter registration card to vote.
Visit VOTE411.orgor pick up a Voters Guide at a public library to see who and what is on your ballot so that you can vote informed.
Visit Bexar County Elections Department or call 210-335-8683 for answers to all your voting and elections questions.
