Katy ISD retirees learn about issues facing the state group
More than 1,000 retired school district and state university employees attended the recent Texas Retired Teachers Association 63rd annual Convention at the Houston Weston Galleria.
Convention hosts were TRTA members of Houston District IV (Harris, Fort Bend, Brazoria and Galveston counties).
“We’re working on resolving a health care funding crisis,” said TRTA President Fran Plemmons.
“TRS-Care is expected to have a shortfall of nearly $1.5 billion by the next biennium unless the Texas Legislature addresses it. Our Texas public education retirees live on stagnant incomes and cannot afford huge premium increases. We worked with our legislators during the 84th legislative session to craft a temporary solution for TRS-Care in 2015.”
Among convention highlights was the election of Marcy Cann, District IV president and Houston ISD retiree, to the office of TRTA secretary/treasurer.
“With more than 12,000 members, District IV is not only the largest of the 20 TRTA districts, but it is also the most diverse. It includes retirees from the largest school districts in Texas such as Houston, Cypress-Fairbanks and Katy, as well as smaller districts such as Alvin, Brazosport, Mainland and Galveston. This broad representation of retirees offers different perspectives and experience. This is what I will bring to the TRTA Board.”
Sen. Joan Huffman, who represents portions of Harris, Fort Bend and Brazoria counties, and Sen. John Whitmire of Houston, led a panel discussion on the TRS-Care health insurance program, TRS pension fund and the state budget.
Congressman Kevin Brady talked about his bill (HR 711) to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision.
Brady said this bill would create a fairer formula for public pensioners who also worked in the private sector and earned Social Security benefits, allowing them to collect more of their earnings upon retirement.