Texas State Senate

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Texas House of Representatives

The TRTA Legislative Committee studies pending legislation relevant to education retirees, develops and implements plans to promote new legislation, and continuously informs members about related legislation. The committee also collaborates with the Texas Silver–Haired Legislature, NRTA, other similar organizations, and with other education organizations concerning retirement issues. In addition, the committee collaborates with other standing and special state committees as appropriate to further the mission of TRTA.
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​In coordination with the TRTA state legislative committee, local unit legislative chair performs the following tasks:

1. Relays to members information received from TRTA and the district legislative committee chairs;
2. Serves as a contact with each local Texas Senator and Representative and U.S. Congressman representing the area represented by them to relay TRTA legislative priorities and concerns;
3. Gathers legislative information of local interest and makes a legislative report at each meeting;
4. Provides quick communication to local unit members;
5. Keeps abreast of legislative updates and gives to the technology contact in the local unit a link to the update to share with local unit members;
6. Surveys members to determine legislative priorities to assist the TRTA legislative committee;
7. Encourages members to sign up for the Inside Line;
8. Attends the legislative training session at the Spring Leadership Development Conference and if possible attend the legislative training session at the TRTA Convention.​

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Legislative Chair Richard Briggs

Mid-Jefferson County RSP Legislative Chair Richard Briggs works closely with the District 5 and TRTA State Legislative Committee to ensure that local unit members are always up-to-date on legislative matters that concern retirees and retiree benefits. He has served the local unit as president and District 5 as legislative chair. During his time as a local unit members he has working diligently with legislators and TRTA legislative staff members to improve and enhance retiree benefits. ​

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MJCRSP Legislative Chair Richard Briggs and TRTA Executive Director Tim Lee met in Beaumont with Dade Phelan, District 21 State Representative and presumptive 2021 Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, to discuss legislative issues that affect retirees. TRTA’s state legislative priorities include preserving the pension funding plan enacted in 2019, securing a financial structure capable of providing a future cost-of-living increase for retirees, maintaining state contribution for TRS-Care retiree health insurance, and adopting TRTA recommendations regarding the Sunset Review. At the national level TRTA’s focus will be on ensuring Social Security benefits are paid to retirees through reform of the WEP and GPO as well as lifting restrictions placed on retirees’ income through substitute teaching  and bus driving.

Convention highlights and in Austin during legislative sessions.