Retired teachers could be in line for an increase in their pensions

Retired teachers in Texas could see a bump in their pension with passage of Proposition 9.

Rep. Greg Bonnen, the lead author of the legislation behind the measure, said providing extra money for retired educators is long overdue.

“It has been many years since the last cost-ofliving adjustment for retired teachers, which has resulted in a substantial decline in purchasing power,” Bonnen said in an analysis of the legislation.

If approved, the measure would make a $3.45 billion appropriation from the state’s general fund to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. Proponents say the injection of money would ensure the pension plan remains solvent.

Proposition 9 goes before voters Nov. 7 along with 13 other proposed constitutional amendments.

Sunday’s edition of the Gazette looked at Propositions 1 and 2. An overview of Propositions 3 and 4 was published in Monday’s edition. Propositions 5 and 6 were discussed in Tuesday’s edition, and Propositions 7 and 8 in Thursday’s edition.

Today, the Gazette summarizes Propositions 9 and 10.

PROPOSITION 9

Ballot title: The constitutional amendment authorizing the 88th Legislature to provide a costof-living adjustment to certain annuitants of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas

Authors: Reps. Greg Bonnen, Giovanni Capriglione and Dewayne Burns

Summary: HJR 2 would authorize the Legislature to provide a cost-of-living adjustment to eligible annuitants of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. The proposed amendment also would authorize the Legislature to appropriate money from the general revenue fund to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts to pay the costof-living adjustment.

Supporters: Texas AFL-CIO; Texas Association of School Administrators; Texas Association of School Boards; Raise Your Hand Texas; and Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association; Texas State Teachers Association

“The Texas State Teachers Association and its affiliate, Tsta‐retired, have endorsed Proposition 9 on the Nov. 7 constitutional amendments ballot to provide a one‐time cost‐of‐living adjustment (COLA) for retired school employees. We believe this is one of the most important amendments on the ballot because many of our retired educators, who spent their careers preparing school children for the future, are struggling to make ends meet,” according to a news release.

Opposers: No campaign found.

PROPOSITION 10

Ballot title: The constitutional amendment to authorize the legislature to exempt from ad valorem taxation equipment or inventory held by a manufacturer of medical or biomedical products to protect the Texas healthcare network and strengthen our medical supply chain

Author: Sen. Joan Huffman

Summary: SJR 87 would allow the Legislature to exempt from property taxation tangible personal property held by a medical or biomedical manufacturer as a finished good or used in the manufacturing or processing of medical or biomedical products.

Supporters: Texas Medical Center; Texas Healthcare and Bioscience Institute; Greater Houston Partnership; Biotechnology Innovation Organization

Opposers: No campaign found.

ELECTION REMINDERS

Monday, Oct. 23 — First day to early vote in person

Friday, Oct. 27 — Last day to apply for ballot by mail. Correspondence must be received, not postmarked, by Oct. 27.

Friday, Nov. 3 — Last day to early vote in person Tuesday, Nov. 7 — Last day to receive ballot by mail. Carrier envelop not postmarked must be received by 7 p.m. Envelopes postmarked by 7 p.m. on Nov. 7 will be accepted Wednesday, Nov. 8 until 5 p.m. - - In Bowie County, voters can cast an early ballot in the Elections Workroom at the courthouse, 710 James Bowie Drive in New Boston; in the ABC Room at the Southwest Center, 3222 W. Seventh St. in Texarkana; and at the west side entrance at Walnut Church of Christ, 2720 Moores Lane.

For early voting times in Bowie County, call the Elections Office at 903-628-6810.

Cass County voters can cast an early ballot at the Voting Building, 227 E. Rush St. in Linden; and at North East Texas Property Management, 101 E. Pinecrest Drive in Atlanta.

For Cass County early voting information, call 903-756-5513.