THE MCRTA CHALKBOARD. May, 2012 Volume 2, Issue 8. Contact us: Jamie Larson/Editor

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1 May, 2012 Volume 2, Issue 8 ep Contact us: Jamie Larson/Editor Jamlar50@yahoo.com Nur Jamie Larson President Carolyn Hafley 1 st Vice President Frank Middleton 2 nd Vice President Treasurer Laurene Shumaker Bramlet Younts Secretaries Wilma Owens Historian Committee chairs Geri Burnett Marie Gest Frank Middleton Legislative Parliamentarian Ted Hubert Information and Protective Services Kathleen Brockenbush Community Volunteer Services Pam Dymke Pre-Retirement and Member Benefits Ethel Marak Health Care James Larson Foundation Representative Deborah Dean Children s Books Awards Jamie Larson Technology/Newsletter THE MCRTA CHALKBOARD Newsletter of the Milam County Retired Teachers Association The Clock is Ticking Milam County and Williamson County RTA members met April 11 th in Thorndale to hear political candidates, Dr. Marsha Farney and Ben Bius. Dr. Farney is the unopposed candidate for House District 20 Representative and Ben Bius is running against Dr. Charles Schwertner for the Senate District 5 seat. To open the meeting, Bill Barnes, our TRTA Chairman of the Legislative Committee gave an outline of the state of our TRS Fund and poked holes in the Crisis makers. He pointed out the inaccuracies in the attacks our pension fund has been taking. He also outlined what the legislature needs to do to fund our TRS-Care early on in the next Legislative session. Dr. Farney and Ben Bius outlined their vision for our Pension fund and TRS-Care. TRTA members were able to ask questions of the platform guests. We all came away with a better understanding of how we might be represented in Austin. Representative Schwertner declined our invitation to attend but did submit answers to a questionnaire designed by Larry Yawn, Legislative chairman of the Williamson County unit. (see page 4). Also attending and speaking at our meeting was Mary Sue Ribardo, Dist. 6 President, and Ruth Spears Dist. 13 President. Also attending and asking questions were: Nola Boughton, Dist. 6 Legislative Chairman, Dr. Al Campbell, Dist. 6 State Legislative Committee member, Don Allphin, President, Austin Co. RTA (Dist. 6 President elect) Randy Woodly, Williamson County RTA President, and Larry Yawn, Williamson County RTA Legislative Chairman. Approximately 50 members from WCRTA and MCRTA attended. At the conclusion of the speaker s portion of the meeting, Milam County RTA offered a resolution calling for WCRTA and MCRTA to plan one meeting each year so that our members can share information and continue to work together to protect our pension and TRS-Care. The resolution also called for our units to spread the good work of our members and encourage other units that share legislators to use our example to work together. All TRTA members present voted unanimously to pass the resolution. The Presidents of WCRTA, MCRTA, District 6 and 13 signed the resolution. After the meeting concluded many of the participants joined together at the Downtown Café in Thorndale for lunch. Many of the members commented that this was one of the most important and educational meetings of the year. The forum offered our candidates an opportunity to point out their vision for our pension. TRTA members met the candidates and found answers we will need to make a good decision when we go to the voting booth. Past President

2 The Chalkboard page 2 MCRTA Meeting Times and Places May 2 nd, 11:00AM (Wednesday) Milano Community Center (Across from the Milano Post Office) Covered Dish Luncheon Officer Installation, Memorial program, Awards May 9, Spring Leadership Conference 8:30-2:30 ESC, Huntsville (MCRTA will lead the Officer Installation and provide a door prize) all MCRTA Officers should plan to attend. All MCRTA members are also invited to attend. Cost is $10 for the meal. June 6 th, 10:00AM (Wednesday) Milano Community Center Executive Board meeting Planning for next year, membership directory, officer transition There will not be a General meeting for MCRTA in June. Membership dues!!! We are way behind in collecting our membership dues. If you have not paid your dues, please do so soon! Information for our May 2 (11 AM) meeting in Milano at the Community Center (across from the Post Office) Our May meeting is our annual end of year Covered Dish Luncheon I have been contacted that 3 of our members are going in together to bring : Chicken tenders, gravy and biscuits, paper plates, knives, forks, spoons, napkins. If you were planning on bringing fried chicken, you might want to reconsider. We always enjoy casseroles, vegetables and desserts. Susan and Jamie will bring iced tea and ice. Our meeting will have our end of year awards, officer installation and of course door prizes and birthday celebrations. We hope all of you will attend for a celebration of our good work and enjoy the fellowship of our wonderful members. Please note: is our new Treasurer. Please send your payment and the completed form located on the next page to: MCRTA Treasurer 148 Private Road 7050 Gause, Texas Please make your check for $35 to MCRTA. This will take pay for state and local dues. ($25 state + $10 local=$35)

3 Membership Form: (Please make copies to share with new retirees.) MCRTA Members name: Mailing address: City State Zip Telephone Number: Birthday (month/date) Please make a check mark by the option(s) you have selected: state($25) Local only ($10) State & Local ($35) Please make checks payable to MCRTA You may bring your payment and this form to the May 2 meeting or mail to: MCRTA Treasurer 148 Private Road 7050 Gause, Texas It is important that dues are paid soon so that we can have your correct information in our next Membership Directory. Our directory will be published this summer. Our Member directory is vital to our members when we implement our phone tree during the next legislative session.

4 The following is the questionnaire that the Williamson County RTA presented to Representative Schwertner. This gave Dr. Schwertner the opportunity to address our concerns for our Defined Benefits and TRS-Care. TEACHER RETIREMENT SYSTEM OF TEXAS 1. Do you support a defined benefit pension for Texas teachers? Yes, I fully support the maintenance of an actuarially-sound defined benefit plan for TRS. 2. Will you advocate against, and vote against, any change to a defined benefit pension for Texas teachers that would freeze or transition the current system into a defined contribution plan? Yes, I fully support the maintenance of an actuarially-sound defined benefit plan for TRS. 3. Will you advocate for a state contribution rate to TRS of no less than 6.4% for each year of the biennium in committee debate and on the floor of the Senate or House? I will place a high priority on fair and appropriate contributions to TRS based on the existing obligations of the state of Texas, budgetary priorities, and our duties to retirees under the Texas Constitution. TRS-CARE INSURANCE 4. Will you advocate for an increased state contribution rate for TRS Care of no less than 1% for each year of the biennium. Provided that the state budget can support a 1% contribution to TRS Care without an increase in taxes, I would support and advocate for it. 5. In the event that TRS-Care needs a supplemental increase to protect retiree premiums, will you advocate for that increase? Provided that the state budget could support a supplemental increase to TRS Care without raising taxes, I would support and advocate for it.

5 AFFILIATIONS 6. Do you have any contact with the American Legislative Exchange Council? I have not participated in any meeting hosted by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), nor has my campaign accepted any contributions or support from them. 7. Do you have any contact with the Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF)? The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) is a private, independentlyoperated public policy think tank. While members of this organization routinely testify in committee hearings on issues they hold an interest in, I have no role in their organization. Any positions held by this private, third-party group are not binding or controlling to the Legislature s consideration of retirement plans for state employees; therefore I do not plan to ask them for clarification on any of their positions. The Chalkboard page 4