Stay Informed

From the CCRTA Legislative Chair, Ann Thomas

Below is a lot of information about Proposition 9 on the ballot Nov. 7th. This is to approve our COLA.  I need 8 people willing to write a letter to the editor of either The Lockhart Post Register or the Luling Newsboy.  I am going to write the first one for the first week in September but part of our plan to win this vote overwhelmingly is to have a letter each week for 8 weeks before the election.  Please let me know if you are willing to help. I will help anyone with composition if needed.


I have included a lot of information about the election and  how we can win.  Your retired Teacher organization is asking you to reach out to 10 people and tell them to vote and WHY.   I hope we are all registered to vote, but if you are unsure, read the section immediately below.


Verify Your Voter Registration Status

As members of the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) may know, the constitutional amendment that will ask Texas voters to approve funding for a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for eligible annuitants of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) on the November 2023 General Election ballot is Proposition 9! 

 Living Adjustment (COLA), requires voter approval this November. Let’s pass the word and pass the 

TRS COLA! 

TEXAS RETIRED SCHOOL EMPLOYEES! 

Early voting begins October 23! 

THIS IS A TRTA VOTER ALERT! 

HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO DO: 

  Be Ready—If you are not registered to vote, now is the time. The deadline to register is October 10. Early voting begins October 23. 

We encourage all TRTA members, their family members, friends, colleagues, and supporters to use this link to determine if their voter registration is up-to-date.  See below on how to register if you are not registered.

Ways to register to vote:

You may also visit VoteTexas.gov for more information.
 

I’m Registered, What Else Can I Do Right Now?

 TRTA is setting the goal for every member to bring 10 friendly “FOR Prop 9” votes with them to the polls this November. August is a great month to begin getting those 10 commitments! 

Be Informed:

WHAT TALKING POINTS CAN I SHARE WITH OTHERS ABOUT VOTING FOR THIS COLA?

1.    Public school retirees have not had a cost-of-living increase in 10 years. Most have NEVER had an increase.

2.    The COLA won’t create a tax increase! The Texas Legislature has already set aside the funds to make this happen with voter approval.

3.    The constitutional amendment is ENDORSED by the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA)!

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE COLA?

Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs) Eligibility
*(contingent upon the passage of the constitutional amendment; if approved by voters in November 2023, COLAs would start in January 2024)

Note: Annuitant is a person receiving a monthly annuity from TRS such as a retiree, surviving spouse or beneficiary.

   Get Involved—Please encourage other retirees, family members, and friends to get active and help pass the Prop 9 pension increase for retired school employees!  Get your 10!!!!

Visit TRTA.org/cola-faq for resources. 

TRS retirees of Texas are checking the boxes and making a plan to vote this fall. 

YES!
TRTA endorses Prop 9!

YES!
Unanimous support in the Texas Legislature!

YES!

I will vote FOR Prop 9, the TRS cost-of-living adjustment on November 7, 2023!



The Official News Bulletin of TRTA

The VOICE is a quarterly publication mailed exclusively for TRTA members. The VOICE is full of the latest legislative, retirement and benefits information.  Click on the link below.


GET INVOLVED