Public Ed Employees and Retirees Don’t Vote. True or False?

 

            I can’t begin to tell you the number of times I have heard local elected officials and, especially, state and federal legislators and candidates say, “Educators/Teachers don’t vote.”

            First, let’s be clear. There is still far too much confusion over the word “educators” and the idea of “public-ed employees/retirees.”  Neither are “teachers only.”  Educators and public-ed employees/retirees refer to all of our colleagues we work(ed) alongside of each day. They are our bus drivers, cafeteria staff, librarians, school nurses, custodians, counselors, classroom aides, office staff, maintenance staff, police officers, sign-language interpreters, administrators, and everyone else who devoted their careers to our public-school system.

            All of us are members of TRS of Texas, which is our pension fund—OUR Social Security--because we do not have the option of paying into Social Security while we’re working in Texas public schools. The initialism TRS stands for “TEACHER” Retirement System, but as I have said repeatedly, that is a misnomer our state legislators should have fixed long ago. It leaves out a large part of the System’s members who are/were not teachers, all of those I listed above.

            Let’s return to the “Do educators vote?” question again. What I have been told time and again is that the reason our affordable health care was stripped from us during the 2017 Texas Legislative Session and TRS retirees have not had a single COLA (cost-of-living adjustment) in 18 years is because “educators don’t vote.”

            If you are an educator—current or retired—DO YOU??

            The last TRS retirees to receive a COLA were those who retired on or before August 31, 2004. Look at the COLAs Social Security recipients have received since then (under the red line):

In January, they will be receiving an 8.7% COLA.  Those of us who retired on or after September 1, 2004, will be receiving the exact same check we have received since we retired.  Despite the historic rate of inflation. Despite the huge hit we took on our health insurance after that 2017 Legislative Session. Despite a $1500 deductible with no co-pay on medical care and prescriptions. Despite it all.  Not one COLA.

            I ask again:  If you are a current or retired educator, do you vote?  Have you voted yet?

            There are so many state and federal races on the ballot that have a DIRECT impact on our health care, our pensions, AND our schools. When you don’t vote, candidates and current elected officials see that, and many decide they do not have to do anything to improve our situation because…well…we don’t vote!

            At the end of this post, you will find information on everyone running for state office and his/her record on supporting public education and public educators.

But one race I boldly ask you to run to the pools for is the race for lt. governor. Our current lt. governor, Dan Patrick, is over the Texas Senate, and that body has been the primary one that has caused us to have such inferior health care and NO COLA IN 18 YEARS!

            Look at Patrick’s recent mailer:

JUST SAY NO!

With him, Politifact is a MUST!  See what this fact-checking website reports about Patrick’s teacher-pay-raise claims.

See how Texas fares—in 2022—on per-pupil funding.

Notice he claims to have done all of this, as if he IS the Texas Legislature. Is that how it works?  Are the decisions made really just a one-man vote?

Note there is NO mention of all of the other groups who make up “educators.” Why does he never mention our bus drivers, cafeteria staff, librarians, school nurses, custodians, counselors, classroom aides, office staff, maintenance staff, police officers, sign-language interpreters, administrators?  Nor does he mention the amount of Texas retired educators’ monthly pension checks. 

This is why:

Source: A Great Value for Texans, a TRS publication (The next edition will be published for the 2023 Legislative Session)

 

            October 20, Patrick posted this on his Twitter feed:

Roughly five days later, I received the mailer posted above from his campaign.  So which is it, Lt. Governor?  Are you promising another 13^th check OR are you promising an 18-years-in-waiting COLA?  I read it that we can expect BOTH since that’s what Patrick seems to be promising. (And, by the way, educators KNOW you cannot make a 13^th check permanent as decisions cannot be made now for future Texas legislatures—unless they become law.

            Educators—do you vote?  PLEASE say yes. 

Before you go to vote, study all of the candidates carefully and go on their RECORDS, not on their (often-unkept) PROMISES.
            For this one race—for lt. governor—I beg you to vote for Mike Collier.  We cannot afford any more broken promises!  Our homes, our health, and our well-being depend on it!

            And when you vote, PLEASE post your picture or a picture of the “I voted” sticker with the hashtag #educatorsvote on your social media. I voted on the first day, last Monday, and proudly posted #educatorsvote on my Facebook and Twitter accounts.

When our elected officials start SEEING we vote, things will change.

NOTE: To see how all statewide candidates have been rated by Texans for Public Education, go here. You can see the simple ratings (Friendly, Neutral, or Unfriendly toward public education) or the full ratings, which include all of the data collected for members to study before voting on the ratings. 

THE LAST DAY TO VOTE EARLY IS THIS FRIDAY!  ELECTION DAY IS NEXT TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8.

Chris Ardis retired in May of 2013 following a 29-year teaching career. She now works as a freelance writer and editor and is committed to education, educators, and students. Chris can be reached at cardis1022@aol.com. (Photo by Linda Blackwell, McAllen.)

 

#EducatorsVote

 

            This blog post is short and sweet!  It’s just a reminder that run-off elections started today!  Educators—which, of course, means current and retired school bus drivers, librarians, custodians, cafeteria staff, teachers, nurses, maintenance staff, support staff, classroom aides, counselors, social workers, police officers, administrators, and everyone else whose careers center around serving students—DID YOU KNOW that we have a reputation for not voting?  

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this from candidates over the past 5-10 years.  Sadly, I have found it to be true. Many communities today are “lucky” if 10 percent of registered voters cast ballots in any given election. Obviously, the other 90 percent includes many current and retired educators.

            Why does it matter?  There are many reasons, but high on the list is that many lawmakers have the attitude that they don’t have to spend much time listening to us if we don’t vote. We all know the saying about the squeaky wheel.

            So let’s make a concentrated effort after we vote to post SOMETHING to whichever social media we use with a message that includes #EducatorsVote . This is one small—but potentially powerful—thing we can do to change that reputation. Hopefully, in the process, we will encourage our current and retired friends and colleagues to do the same. 

            For those who need more information about the run-offs:

1.      THANK YOU, Texas Tribune, for posting this great guide. Note that if you type in your address, you will get a customized sample ballot so you will know exactly what will be on your actual ballot at the polls in your area.

2.   Do your research on the candidates, go to Texans for Public Education, and ask family, friends, and others who you rely on for accurate information.

3.    Early Voting runs just one week, today through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Election Day is next Tuesday, and the polls will again be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

BE THE WHEEL!

#EducatorsVote

 

Chris Ardis retired in May of 2013 following a 29-year teaching career. She now works as a freelance writer and editor and is committed to education, educators, and students. Chris can be reached at cardis1022@aol.com. (Photo by Linda Blackwell, McAllen.)

“Required” Reading for All TRS Members

            This post is for all TRS members, both active and retired. If you know me well, you know this isn’t a “teachers-only” blog post. This is for all of us—our custodians, campus and district support staff, cafeteria staff, librarians, teachers, bus drivers, maintenance staff, counselors, police officers, classroom aides and interpreters, administrators, and all of our other public-ed colleagues. There is so much to share with you.

            March 31, my friend Yvette (like me, a TRS retiree under 65) and I met with Morgan LaMantia, a candidate in the Rio Grande Valley running for Texas Senate. We wanted to share a packet of information with her about what TRS retirees are facing—and have been facing for far too long.  I would like to share with you the information we shared because ALL OF US need to fully understand this information.

COLA

            First, we shared with her the TRS History of Benefit Changes, specifically focusing on making sure she knows the facts behind TRS retirees spending the past 18 YEARS without a COLA. (Everyone should know by now that a COLA is a cost-of-living adjustment.) Go to the end of page 19 and the beginning of page 20 at the link above to read about the last COLA. Although it was decided in 2013, it was only for TRS members who retired on or before August 31, 2004. Since then, we’ve gone thirsty for a COLA.

            We also shared the 2020 TRS Benefit Distribution Chart. (The next one will be published for the 2023 Texas Legislative Session.) Look at it carefully to see just how little so many TRS retirees are making. The chart can be viewed on this blog post.

            We asked Morgan to compare the TRS members’ thirst to the COLAs those on Social Security have received over the years. There’s a stunning difference, and of course, most of us will never get Social Security—or it will be significantly reduced due to the Windfall Elimination Provision. (While you’re educating yourself on the WEP, don’t forget the Government Pension Offset, for those of you who have a spouse.)

            The final item on our agenda regarding COLA? We asked Morgan to check out the CPI (Consumer Price Index) Inflation Calculator . I encourage all of you to plug in a number, then plug in September 1, 2004, and then today’s date. Look at inflation since 2004 and yet TRS retirees have not had a single COLA since then.

HEALTH INSURANCE

            Our next topic involved health insurance. When I retired, although my health insurance was still inferior to the benefits all other state retirees—including state legislators—received under ERS, it was affordable. That changed in 2017 when the Texas Legislature completely dropped the ball on TRS retirees. Our insurance is no longer affordable, yet ERS retirees still enjoy no monthly premium and no deductible, except a $50 deductible for prescriptions. Their plan also includes dental and vision coverage. (Meanwhile, TRS retirees under 65 pay a $200-per-month premium, and our deductible is $1500. For married couples, it is $3000—not $1500 per person but the full $3000. We pay separately for dental and vision coverage, and many of us belong to an organization—with a membership fee—to get that insurance. My dental and vision coverage premium is just under $69.73 per month.)

            In March, something rather strange happened. We learned that during the third Special Session of the 2021 Legislative Session, the Texas Legislature threw us a bone to help with our health care. In March, we received a one-time check of $448.12. Sorry if I sound ungrateful. Every little bit helps, but we have been offered one too many band-aids rather than insurance equal to what ERS retirees receive.

WORK AFTER RETIREMENT

            Finally, we shared with Morgan the difference for TRS members who want to work for a school district after retirement and ERS members who want to work for the state after they retire. Click on those links, and you will see the huge discrepancy.

TEXAS TEACHER VACANCY TASK FORCE

            Yvette and I did not address this issue with Morgan because we focused on issues facing retirees, but I thought you might find this funny/disturbing/perplexing/unsurprising

            When I read that TEA put out a call for additional teachers who wanted to join this newly created task force (because the original list only had two and resulted in an outcry), called for by Gov. Abbott to address the impending and expected-to-be-overwhelming teacher shortage, I decided to apply. I firmly believe that one of the factors those leaving the field of education (and it isn’t just teachers!!!) is that they can see that all of the promises made to us throughout our careers about retirement have been shattered.

            So I applied, definitely not holding my breath.

            Last week, I received this letter:

I couldn’t help but wonder if anyone even looked at my application, since I clearly indicated I am a RETIRED teacher. It’s obvious this letter was intended for someone still in the classroom. Obviously, not even one retiree is wanted. More teachers are being added, but look who makes up the majority on a task force about TEACHERS leaving the field!

 

BILL WATERS, CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, SAN ANGELO ISD

In case you haven’t seen this video on my Facebook page, I urge ALL educators—and parents—to watch it. Start at 2:11:25, and then watch and listen as Mr. Waters delivers an impassioned speech about what needs to change if the District (and I think this is true for most districts in our state/country) has any hope of holding on to staff. I am not going to provide a summary because he says it best. I urge you to listen to the comments from members of the Board afterward, as well.

            I, for one, sincerely hope Mr. Waters is asked to lead the charge to make these things happen and that the San Angelo and San Angelo ISD communities immerse themselves in supporting his efforts. If this happens, they will be true agents of change and will lead the way!

FINALLY, INCORPORATE THIS HASHTAG!

            Over the past few years, I have heard time and again from candidates for local, state, and federal office when I speak to them about issues facing educators and retired educators, “The problem is, you all don’t vote.”

            The first time I heard it, I became indignant. But then I found out how right they are. I have many…MANY…friends who are educators and who do not vote.  That MUST change if we expect to see ANY changes in our conditions!

            If YOU vote in ANY election from now on, PLEASE post a picture and use #educatorsvote on the picture. This is the one I posted this morning after voting in the election for South Texas College trustee:

 

            WE NEED TO VOTE, and WE NEED TO SHOUT IT OUT!

            Until next time….

Chris Ardis retired in May of 2013 following a 29-year teaching career. She now works as a freelance writer and editor and is committed to education, educators, and students. Chris can be reached at cardis1022@aol.com. (Photo by Linda Blackwell, McAllen.)

 

 

Texas Legislature Deals Public-Ed Retirees Yet Another Blow

            As a child, I remember having life-size, inflatable punching bags. They looked like cartoon characters, and sand filled the bottom so they would bounce right back after being knocked down. Since 2017, the Texas Legislature has used retired public-school employees as their bounce-back punching bags.

            I retired from teaching in 2013.  For the first four years, I had good, affordable insurance. But in 2017, without warning, the Texas Legislature raised the deductible for all Teacher Retirement System (TRS) retirees under the age of 65 from $400 to $1500. (Remember that TRS is a misnomer as it actually covers ALL public-ed retirees, including bus drivers, custodians, maintenance staff, police officers, teachers, administrators, librarians, classroom aides, counselors, cafeteria staff….)

Prior to 2017, we also had a co-pay for doctors’ visits and prescriptions. Not only did they nearly quadruple our deductible, but they also robbed us of a co-pay.  Now we have to pay the entire $1500 out of pocket before our insurance pays a penny--except for preventive procedures, such as mammograms--and a list of standard generic drugs. (If a retiree has his/her spouse on the plan, that couple must meet the $3000 deductible—rather than $1500 per person—before insurance kicks in.)

            You may remember that Texas has two pension systems—TRS and ERS. ERS is the Employees Retirement System, which handles pensions and health care for all other state employees. While our deductible went from $400 to $1500 in 2017, the health-care deductible for ERS retirees went from $0 to $0. ZERO. Oh, and their monthly premium went from $0 to $0.  ZERO.  Ours is $200 per month. Did I mention that retired Texas legislators are covered under ERS health care and receive a pension from ERS?

COLA

            Since I retired in 2013, I have not received a single cost-of-living adjustment (aka COLA). According to Consumer Price Index inflation calculator, “ The dollar had an average inflation rate of 2.02% per year between 2013 and today, producing a cumulative price increase of 19.68%.”  My monthly pension has had a 0 percent increase since 2013.  ZERO.

            You may be shocked to learn that the last time the Texas Legislature provided TRS retirees with a COLA was in 2013, BUT…and it’s a BIG but…it was a 3 percent increase, capped at $100 per month, and it was only for public-school employees who retired prior to September 1, 2004.  Yes, 2004.  So for the past 18 YEARS, public-school employees have received ZERO COLAs.  ZERO.

13^th Check

            Despite another Legislative Session spent pushing for a COLA, in 2021, once again, our cries fell on deaf ears. In the end, during a Special Session, our legislators chose to ignore the fact that we have gone all these years without a COLA and instead approved a “13^th check,” capped at $2400.  

It works like this:  If a TRS retiree earns less than $2400 per month in his/her annuity payment, the 13th check would be equal to his/her monthly payment. Those earning over $2400 per month would ger $2400. These checks were sent to us mid-January.

            While I think most of us would rather get something, than nothing, it was another punch to TRS bounce-back retirees. My check arrived, minus $346.37. I immediately thought of my retired colleagues who earn far less:

 

Source:  TRS publication A Great Value for All Texans, February 2021

 

            Please look at this carefully.  The highest percentage—30.6%--of TRS retirees earn a monthly benefit (annuity payment) of $1 - $1000, and those who retired since September 1, 2004, have NEVER had a COLA!

Latest Blow 

            Just as TRS retirees across the state were reeling from the large deductions taken from our 13^th check, we received another blow from TRS via the U.S.P.S. Every January, TRS sends us a letter to show us the difference in our net monthly annuity from the previous year to the current year.  Normally—and I am NOT kidding—it will show an increase of $1.00 or so.  When I received mine, it showed I would be receiving $140.71 LESS in 2022 than I did in 2021.  How do Texas legislators expect us to continue while earning LESS?

            Have you seen the gas prices recently? Grocery prices? ALL prices?  I immediately contacted TRS via DM on Twitter and received a quick response: “…generally, a one-time supplemental payment is treated as taxable income to an eligible annuitant. Your withholding rate will return to normal on your February payment. In February, TRS will send out a new letter with a comparative summary of the January and February annuity payments. This will show the changes in the IRS withholding for your February and future annuity payments in 2022. If you see a higher withholding amount for your January annuity payment, it is likely because receiving the supplemental payment in addition to your annuity payment increased your rate of withholding for the month of January. Lastly please note, the IRS released new annual tax withholding tables at the end of December that were applied to the January payments, so you may also notice those nominal adjustments to your withholding amount.”

             My head was reeling as I read this response.

1.     1.  WHY wasn’t this possibility discussed when the Texas Legislature was once again denying us a COLA and attempting a final-hour, heroic act with a 13^th check?

2.      2,  WHY would TRS send these letters out in January, upsetting everyone at a time when there is enough stress related to inflation, our UNaffordable health care, and COVID instead of providing us with January AND February–December payment information?

And….

WHY do public-ed retirees continue to be their bounce-back punching bags?   

Chris Ardis retired in May of 2013 following a 29-year teaching career. She now works as a freelance writer and editor and is committed to education, educators, and students. Chris can be reached at cardis1022@aol.com. (Photo by Linda Blackwell, McAllen.)