Governor Abbott – AWAITING YOUR CALL FOR A SPECIAL SESSION!

Dear Governor Abbott,

I just read the statement you sent to the Texas Retired Teachers Association in response to their request to you, the run-off candidates for the Democratic place in the November General Election (Lupe Valdez and Andrew White), Lt. Governor Patrick, and his opponent (Mike Collier).  In that statement, you wrote…

·         …I want you to know that I understand issues that are important to retired educators.

·         …I know your health care costs and premiums increased.  (I would add an adjective before health care—dramatically.)

·         TRS-Care needs much more attention.

·         …95% of K-12 school employees do not participate in Social Security (I would modify this to read “95% of K-12 school employees do not have the option of participating in Social Security), meaning that their TRS annuity is their (YOUR—the statement is intended for TRTA members, and this is what we are already facing in our retirement) only source of retirement income

·         I know that many TRS annuitants have not received a pension increase since retiring.

·         I very much value those who work or have worked in education.  You are an important part of the fabric of Texas.  I appreciate your dedication and years of public service.

After reading this statement, Gov. Abbott, I am officially joining Senator Jose Menendez, Representative Terry Canales, and my fellow retired public education employees, including teachers, custodians, bus drivers, secretaries, nurses, cafeteria workers, classroom aides, librarians, maintenance workers, sign-language interpreters, administrators, social workers, and others who dedicated our lives and our careers to Texas children—and thus to the future of this state--in asking you to call a Special Session to address the healthcare nightmare we are living.

IF you truly understand the issues important to us—IF you know HOW MUCH our health care costs and premiums have increased—IF you know HOW MUCH attention TRS-Care needs—IF you know we cannot supplement our pensions with Social Security—IF you know most of us have not received a cost-of-living increase in many years…or ever—IF you sincerely value the years of our lives we dedicated to the children of this state, accepting a lower salary than we could have earned in the public sector with the promise of a delayed benefit in retirement of a pension and AFFORDABLE healthcare—IF you truly believe we are an important part of the fabric of Texas—IF you appreciate our dedication and years of public service---IF everything you wrote in this statement is true—then there is certainly no other option for you than to call a Special Session.  Doing so is your only change of preventing us from going through eight more months of suffering, anxiety, and the fear that we (or any of our colleagues) might lose our lives. 

We cannot wait eight months (until the start of the 2019 Legislative Session) and the months of meetings, negotiations, bills, amendments….

We expect you, as the governor of this state, to right the wrong that has been done to us.  We expect you to deliver on the state’s promise to us throughout our careers.  We expect you to show us the respect you allude to in your statement to TRTA.  We expect you to read every single case (see below—many more will be added.  Names have been removed.) of retired public school employees who, under your watch, are suffering, are discontinuing medically necessary treatments because they now cannot afford them, and are living in life-altering anxiety over being thrust into this untenable position.

Gov. Abbott, we await your response to Sen. Menendez, Rep. Canales, and to all of us who retired, believing the State of Texas’ promise.

Sincerely,

Christine Ardis

Retired Texas Teacher

STORIES OF RETIRED TRS MEMBERS LIVING THE
TRS-HEALTHCARE NIGHTMARE!

(Added to this blog 4-22-18 at 9:10 p.m.)

(Note:  I received a message 4-23-18 from Blanca. She had a typo in her message.  Her brother and sister-in-law actually pay $689 per month for this sub-par insurance, not $639.)

And if you haven't read ADRIENNE'S STORY yet, 

read it here!

STORIES OF ACTIVE AND RETIRED TRS MEMBERS LIVING THE
TRS-HEALTHCARE NIGHTMARE!
(Added to this blog 4-16-18 at 1:12 p.m.)

STORIES OF TRS RETIREES LIVING THE TRS-HEALTHCARE NIGHTMARE

(Added to this blog at 7:11 p.m., April 14, 2018)

STORIES OF TRS RETIREES LIVING THE TRS-HEALTHCARE NIGHTMARE
(Added to this blog at 6:40 a.m., April 14, 2018)

STORIES OF TRS RETIREES LIVING THE TRS-HEALTHCARE NIGHTMARE
(Added to this blog at 7:06 p.m., April 13, 2018)
I received permission from the first two to use their names.  All of these individuals are REAL PEOPLE in your state, Gov. Abbott, people who dedicated their careers and their lives to the children of Texas:

STORIES OF TRS RETIREES LIVING THE TRS-HEALTHCARE NIGHTMARE

(Added to this blog April 13, 2018)

STORIES OF TRS RETIREES LIVING THE TRS-HEALTHCARE NIGHTMARE
(April 12, 2018)

Rep. Terry Canales and Sen. Jose Menendez STEP UP TO THE PLATE

     Since the healthcare nightmare--created during the 2017 Legislative Session--began impacting Texas public school teachers, custodians, secretaries, librarians, nurses, maintenance workers, classroom aides, cafeteria workers, administrators, and social workers, we have been waiting...and waiting...and waiting for a--just ONE--Texas legislator to step up to the plate to fight for us. 
     In my blog earlier this week, I wrote about one of the countless cases that have left retirees who dedicated our lives to serving the children of this state unable to pay for the healthcare we were promised throughout our careers and when we signed our retirement papers.  A book could be compiled of these cases, and it is only the end of March.
     Today, I received the best news I have heard since January 1.  Not one but TWO Texas legislators, Rep. Terry Canales and Sen. Jose Menendez, have STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE by formally asking Gov. Greg Abbott to call a Special Session to address our healthcare!

Rep. Terry Canales

Sen. Jose Menendez

  Here is Rep. Canales' letter:

     (I will post Sen. Menendez's letter as soon as I receive it.)

   
     I had not realized just how much the stories from public school retirees across the state had  affected me until I read Rep. Canales' letter.  The tears have not yet subsided.  FINALLY, two of our elected officials heard our pleas and made the decision to do something about it.
     I, and others, have asked how WE can help Rep. Canales and Sen. Menendez in their efforts to get Gov. Abbott to call a Special Session.  Stay tuned for our CALL TO ACTION.
     In the meantime, I don't have the words to express my sincere, heartfelt gratitude.

Dear Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Patrick, and Texas Legislators…How Could You?

           

             Last week I was invited to serve as a judge for a local high school election.  One of the other judges is also a retired Texas teacher.  She worked in Texas public schools for 31 years.  Over lunch, she told me and the other two judges about her most recent healthcare nightmare, compliments of the Texas Legislature.

            She is living with diabetes and uses the Tresiba FlexTouch insulin pen.  Before the Texas Legislature created the healthcare nightmare for retired Texas public school teachers, bus drivers, custodians, librarians, nurses, classroom aides, administrators, maintenance workers, secretaries, and counselors during the 2017 Legislative Session, she paid $45 for this prescription for four boxes of pens.  After January 1, she went to the pharmacy to pick up her prescription.  The clerk, who knew her, struggled to get the words out of her mouth.  Finally, her voice cracking and her eyes doleful, she uttered, “It will be $1492.00”

            As one might imagine, this retired Texas teacher stood there, stunned.  Fourteen hundred and ninety-two dollars.  She could not afford it, so she left the pharmacy in tears. 

            She said she went home and could not stop crying.  She didn’t know what to do because she didn’t have an extra $1492.00 lying around, yet she knew she could not live without her insulin.  Completely distraught, she spent the remainder of the day sobbing.

            (For those who do not know the background--the Texas Legislature decided to increase our deductible from $400 to $1500 starting January 1, also forcing us to pay 100 percent of all healthcare and prescription costs out of pocket until the entire deductible is met.  (Married couples must pay $3000 out of pocket before one penny of theirs is covered.)  After reaching the 100-percent-out-of-pocket deductible, our new nightmare insurance pays 80/20.  The Texas Legislature did this while keeping all other state employees—AND retired legislators—on a plan through ERS (Employees Retirement System of Texas, the other state-controlled retirement system) with a $0 deductible for all healthcare, a $50 deductible for prescriptions, and a $0 monthly premium.)

            Now back to the story.  A few hours later, this retired teacher received a phone call from the clerk at the pharmacy.  She had made some calls and was somehow able to get the cost of the prescription reduced dramatically.  I couldn’t help but feel a great deal of admiration for this clerk, who obviously went above and beyond for her customer.  I also couldn’t help but feel embarrassed and disgusted that Texas public school employees have been forced by the Texas Legislature to resort to begging in order to receive the affordable healthcare we were promised throughout our careers and when we made the decision to retire.

            As I keep saying, what’s good for the educator is good for the legislator!

            Last week, I promised to provide you with information on how the pension of a retired Texas legislator is figured.  I will use myself for comparison:

ME:  I taught in Texas public schools for 29 years.  When I decided to retire, the Teacher Retirement System of Texas looked at my highest five salaries and took the average, which was just over $61,000. After 29 years of teaching, I would earn 66.7 percent of that average.

TEXAS LEGISLATOR:  According to Ballotpedia, Texas legislators earn $600 per month. They also earn a $190 per diem while in Austin or on official business.  After serving only eight years as a legislator, he/she can retire at the age of 60.  If he/she wishes to retire at age 50, only 12 years of service is required.  But wait!  The Texas legislators’ pension is not based on the salary they earn while serving.  Instead, it is based on the salary of a state district judge, which is $140,000.  And guess who determines the salary of a state district judge?  You guessed it, the Texas Legislature.  (Retired Texas public school employees—can you remember the last time we received a Cost-of-Living increase?  I’m sure you can’t.  However, September 1, 2013, the annual state salary of a district judge increased from $125,000 to $140,000.)

            Here is another comparison for you:

TRS Retiree:  If a TRS retiree wants to return to work in a Texas public school, he/she is not allowed to do so for 12 months after retirement.

ERS Retiree:  If an ERS retiree wants to return to work for a state agency, he/she only has to wait 90 days to do so.

            My fellow retired teacher’s story about the healthcare nightmare she is living is only one of countless stories across the state.  I have but one question this week for Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Patrick, and all of the Texas senators and representatives who created this nightmare for all of us who dedicated our careers to the children in this state:  HOW COULD YOU?

Chris Ardis retired in May of 2013 following a 29-year teaching career. She now helps companies with business communications and social media and works as a sales coordinator for Tony Roma's and Macaroni Grill. Chris can be reached at cardis1022@aol.com. (Photo by Linda Blackwell, McAllen)

Which Texas Legislator(s) Will Step Up to the Plate?

            As the returns from the Texas Primary Election came in Tuesday, March 6, I have to admit I felt defeated.  I had such hopes that public-education employees and retirees, and our supporters (including our students), would come out in overwhelming numbers, using our votes as our voices to speak out against the disgraceful lack of school funding and the shameful healthcare nightmare Texas public education retirees are living.  It is a nightmare created by Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, most members of the Texas Senate, and some members of the Texas House.

            However, Wednesday morning, I awakened with an entirely new outlook.  After all, I didn’t know Scott Milder, Dan Patrick’s Primary opponent, until recently.  But as I read about his credentials—a bachelor’s in journalism and radio/TV/film and a master’s in public relations, a former school district public information officer, a former reporter/photographer, a former Rockwall City Council member, a senior associate for Stantec Architecture, and, along with his wife, a small business owner and founder of Friends of Texas Public Schools—I knew he was exactly what the Texas Legislature needed.  As I looked at the Primary results with fresh eyes, I realized it was an incredible feat for Milder to garner 24 percent of the vote.  Three-hundred-sixty-seven thousand, nine-hundred-fifty-four people voted for Milder.  That’s 367,954 Texans who voted in the Republican Primary who did not want Patrick back.  I sincerely believe our hopes for the 2019 Legislative Session can be realized if we remain relentless between now and November’s General Election when Patrick faces a Milder-endorsed Democrat, Mike Collier.

            I attended the final day of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) three-day session at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley February 16.  Although I had no intention of doing so when I arrived, I testified at the start of the public hearing that day.  While there, I also picked up TRS: A Great Value for All Texans, a booklet published by TRS in February of 2017.  After seeing the chart on page nine, I filed a Public Information Request with TRS, seeking a breakdown of average pensions for school custodians, secretaries, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and maintenance workers, who are also covered under TRS. 

            I searched the Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS), the state’s retirement system for all state employees not working in our public schools and for retired legislators, to locate a benefit distribution chart for these employees.  When I couldn’t find one, I filed a PIR with ERS February 23, asking for a chart like the one on page nine in the TRS booklet that lists monthly pensions and the percentage of ERS retirees who receive each amount.  I also asked for a similar chart specifically for Texas legislators who receive ERS pensions.  Twelve business days later, March 13, I received this response from ERS:

            So, while we know that 32 percent of TRS retirees—the highest percentage on the page-nine chart—earn a pension of only $1 to $1,000 each month, there is no chart available to the public with the percentage of ERS members who earn this paltry amount?  How in the world does this constitute “confidential information” when I did not ask for names of the individuals receiving these pensions?

            Do you know what the annual salary for Texas legislators is?  Do you know how their ERS pension is calculated?  If not, you will when you read my column next week.  You will learn that the outrageous discrepancies between the legislators’ healthcare premiums and deductibles and ours aren’t the only injustices.  Wait until you hear how the state arrives at the pension for members of our “elected class” who retire under ERS.

            In the meantime, these are my questions for this week:

1.  Which Texas Legislator(s) will step up to the plate to demand a fix to the TRS healthcare nightmare?

2.  Which Texas Legislator(s) will fight for an in-depth study BEFORE the 2019 Legislative Session on how ERS and TRS can be merged or, at the very least, how both systems under the control of the Texas Legislature can offer the same level of benefits?

3.  Which Texas Legislator(s) will ask why ERS does not provide a benefit distribution chart to the public and how they can claim this is “confidential member information”?

4.  Which Texas Legislator(s) will collect all of the stories of what TRS members are enduring as a result of the 2017 Legislative Session into a book for Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Patrick, and all members of the House and Senate?

5.  Which Texas Legislator(s) will lead the charge to end our nightmare?