Support Proposition 9

I am asking voters to support Proposition 9 on the November General Election ballot. Prop 9, when passed, will provide the first cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) since 2004 for 420,000 Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) annuitants.

When passed, Prop 9 will not create a tax increase! The Texas Legislature has already set aside the funds to make this happen with voter approval using surplus funds. In fact, Prop 9 has unanimous legislative support. Every single one of the members of the Texas Senate and House voted to support this much-needed retirement boost! 

70% of Texas public-school employee retirees have never received a COLA. TRS annuitants are living on an average monthly annuity of just $2,174, though more than 140,000 receive $1,000 or less per month!

Many voters do not know that most retired teachers are not eligible to receive Social Security; therefore, a TRS pension is their primary source of income. The Social Security raises that helped so many recently were often not received by your community’s retired school personnel.

Please show your dedicated retired educators and the Texas Legislature that you support providing much-needed financial relief for TRS annuitants by voting for Prop 9.

Sue Green