The official results of the November 7, 2023 election have now been canvassed and certified. The thirteen amendments that were approved by the people of Texas, including the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for eligible Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) annuitants, are now part of the Texas Constitution. The will of the voters has prevailed! Due to a fatal flaw in the lawsuits that were filed against these amendments, Governor Greg Abbott proceeded with certifying the election results on December 4, 2023. The Office of the Attorney General has notified the district court that the challe ..read more

The Texas Retired Teachers Association’s Executive Director, Tim Lee, will host a special live event discussing the challenge to Prop 9 today, December 4, at 4 p.m. Central on YouTube and Facebook. He will be joined by Attorney Andrew Weber. The constitutional amendments passed on November 7, including Prop 9, are at risk of being delayed due to frivolous legal challenges related to voting machines. If you haven’t already, please complete these action items! Action Item–TRTA members, please send an email to Governor Abbott asking him to add this issue to the Call for the current spec ..read more

As the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) has reported, the constitutional amendments passed on November 7, including Prop 9, are at risk of being delayed due to frivolous legal challenges related to voting machines. Action Item–TRTA members, please send an email to Governor Abbott asking him to add this issue to the Call for the current special legislative session. Click here to email Governor Abbott. Action Item–Let’s ask our friends in the Texas House of Representatives to support SB 6. Click here to email your Texas House member. Under existing law, it is likely to take at least a y ..read more

Even though there is no action step that can be taken by TRTA members at this time to resolve the legal challenge to the November vote on Prop 9 and the other constitutional amendments, TRTA can report that our friends in the Texas Legislature are working on our behalf. On Friday, December 1, the Texas Senate convened to hear Senate Bill 6 in an attempt to address lawsuits recently filed to contest the validity of votes cast regarding all the constitutional amendments in the November 2023 General Election. The bill, filed by State Senator Bryan Hughes (R, Mineola), would sp ..read more

The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) has been made aware of several lawsuits that have been filed challenging the validity of the November 2023 General Election and the outcomes related to the constitutional amendments. According to the Texas Tribune, “Lawsuits based on false claims about voting equipment could delay millions of dollars in cost-of-living increases for retired teachers expected to arrive in January… and also threaten to hold up state property tax cuts for homeowners.” These lawsuits, as mentioned above, include Proposition 9, in which Texas voters approved $3.3 billion ..read more

At this time of year, we like to reflect on the great things we have accomplished together and show our appreciation to our members, friends, and supporters, all of whom are special to us! The Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) Board of Directors and the Texas Retired Teachers Foundation (TRTF) Board of Trustees are so very thankful for the time you spend volunteering for TRTA and for donating to help fund TRTF’s many charitable programs. We have much to be thankful for with the recent passage of Proposition 9—and we are most thankful for YOU and your dedication to the causes that have ..read more

A congressional hearing to discuss HR 82, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, was held on November 20, 2023. HR 82, if passed, would repeal the harmful and arbitrary Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). During a previous congressional cycle, HR 82 gained significant momentum and widespread co-sponsorship, but ultimately, failed to pass. The hearing was held by U.S. House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security. Entitled “Social Security’s Disservice to Public Servants: How the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset Mistrea ..read more

A congressional hearing to discuss HR 82, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, will be held today, Monday, November 20, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Central. HR 82, if passed, would repeal the harmful and arbitrary Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). During a previous congressional cycle, HR 82 gained significant momentum and widespread co-sponsorship, but ultimately, failed to pass. Members of the public may view the hearing via live webcast available at this link. (Please note, the webcast will not be available until the hearing begins ..read more

A congressional hearing to discuss HR 82, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023, has been scheduled for Monday, November 20, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Central. HR 82, if passed, would repeal the harmful and arbitrary Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). During a previous congressional cycle, HR 82 gained significant momentum and widespread co-sponsorship, but ultimately, failed to pass. Members of the public may view the hearing via live webcast available at this link. (Please note, the webcast will not be available until the hearing begins at 2:00 p.m. on Novem ..read more

Thank you, members of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) for joining us during Foundation Month, a time to honor the charitable work done by our partner organization, the Texas Retired Teachers Foundation (TRTF). Today, we focus on two of TRTF’s most vital emergency need programs, “A Helping Hand” and Disaster Relief. “A Helping Hand” “A Helping Hand,” launched in 2010, provides public education retirees with charitable assistance for a one-time special need or other short-term hardship. Recipients include anyone who is receiving an annuity from the Teacher Retirement System of Texa ..read more