Spending, Teacher's Pensions Top Eltife's Agenda

Dist. 1 Senator will push for pay increases for retired teachers.

AUSTIN, TX, Jan. 21, 2009 -- State Senator Kevin Eltife (R), Tyler, responding to questions about his agenda for the 81st session, says keeping an eye on spending will be especially important this year.

In a nod to the current economic condition, Eltife said "My priorities for the Legislative Session are to carefully look at all state spending, always important but especially so in this economy."

But, even as reining in spending will be his first goal, he also plans to push for a cost of living increase for retired teachers, a drive sure to be applauded by the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA).

Eltife said "It is also important to help our retired teachers, who have not had a cost of living increase in several years."

The TRTA has made that increase the major focus of their lobbying efforts this year, and their website is encouraging members to work the phones to that end, saying in part:

Retirees have not received a permanent increase in their pension since 2001. This represents, at minimum, a 24% reduction in a retiree’s buying power since last ad hoc pension increase. TRS annuitants need an increase in their pension benefits in order to meet the increasing financial demands of today’s economy.

With the ailing economy, the lowered state revenue projections, and the significant investment losses realized by the TRS pension trust fund, TRTA’s ability to persuade legislators to take positive action on this association’s priorities has never been more important.

Contacting legislators and explaining how the many years of NOT receiving cost of living raises has severely impacted retirees and their ability to live in this changing economy is vital to TRTA’s ability to accomplish its goals this session.

Rounding out his top three goals, Eltife indicated that the way Texas property appraisals are performed is also in his sights, saying "Reforming our property appraisal system is also a top priority for me."