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Three proposals concerning teachers have been made: 1) a state-wide teachers health insurance plan, 2) an increase in the retirement multiplier to 2.5% and 3) the trade-in or purchase of 50 personal or 50 sick leave days without a cost to the individual retiring educator.
I have received numerous form letters from teachers in my legislative district supporting these proposals. This Update will respond to those concerns.
In regard to the health insurance, last Session, I was a joint author of HB 1294 the bill to establish a state-funded health insurance plan for active and retired public school employees. The bill proposed a system similar to the state employee system. Teachers’ groups made the decision that the plan was not a top priority and HB1294 was not passed.
This Session, I am a joint author on House Bill 12 which would provide a statewide group insurance program for employees and retirees of school districts. If enacted, the bill should benefit small districts. It will help recruit and retain teachers. The cost will be quite high. Some teachers do not support the bill.
Passage of the 2.5% multiplier will depend on the funding of the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) retirement fund. We must be sure that any proposal is actuarially sound to protect current and future retirees. I will support the increase if we can maintain the soundness of the system.
I do not know why the sick leave bill was passed in 1991 without funding. Funding by the TRS now would cost upwards to $1 billion. At this time, no bill has been filed regarding the 50 sick leave days.
I appreciate the dedication of our educators in Texas public schools and will keep all comments received on file for reference should the respective bills be passed out of committee and brought before the House for a vote.
State Representative Ron Clark
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768-2910
(903) 893-9426 * (512) 463-0474
(512) 475-3767 (fax)
ron.clark@house.state.tx.us
http://www.grayson.edu/district62/RonClark.html
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