Dear Editor:

Starting October 23- November 3 and on Election Day November 7, you have an opportunity to vote FOR Prop 9, a TRS Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for over 420,00 TRS public education retirees- teachers, administrative personnel, school bus drivers, janitors, maintenance workers, nurses, cafeteria workers and more. I bet you know a public-school retiree. Think how this modest COLA could help them!

As President of the Blanco County Association of Retired Educators (BCARE) Chapter of the Texas Retired Teachers Association, I work closely with TRS retirees not only in Blanco County but also in Dripping Springs and Wimberley. These retirees share with me the struggles they have in meeting their daily expenses.

This is the first COLA for these retirees in over 10 years. 95% of TRS annuitants do not receive Social Security benefits and, if we do, that amount is offset by two federal provisions (Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset) that decrease our benefits drastically or eliminate them completely!

Both Houses of our Texas Legislature approved this expenditure unanimously. The money has been appropriated but must go before the voters of Texas for approval. THIS IS NOT A TAX INCREASE!!

Prop 9, once passed, will provide a 2% increase for 150,000 TRS annuitants (those who retired between September 1, 2013 and August 31, 2020), a 4% increase for 195,000 TRS annuitants (those who retired between September 1, 2001 and August 31, 2013), and a 6% increase for 75,000 TRS annuitants (those who retired on or before August 31, 2001).

While this COLA is modest, it will provide TRS annuitants help with daily living expenses. I ask for your “YES” vote on Prop 9 to help our TRS annuitants receive a long-needed COLA.

Most sincerely,

Kathy Carriker

President, Blanco County Association of Retired Educators
serving Blanco and Northwestern Hays Counties
A Chapter of the Texas Association of Retired Educators