On Wednesday, March 26, the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA) hosted its annual Day at the Capitol in Austin, gathering approximately 1,500 members to advocate for retired educators.
Seven members from the local CRSP chapter, including Gail Johnson, JoAnn Sugg, Nancy Morgan, Mary Anne Leib, Mary Bruton, Charolett, and Weldon Chambers, started their day early. They met at Ranchers’ Steakhouse at 5:15 a.m. before carpooling to Belton, where they boarded a District XII bus at 6:15 a.m. and ventured to the Capitol. Another District XII bus departed from Waco, bringing the total attendance from their district to forty retirees.
Between 7 and 8 a.m., attendees gathered on the East Lawn at the Capitol, where they collected materials to present to their legislators. A scheduled meeting with Senator Shelby Slawson took place at 8:30 a.m. in her office, while many members took the opportunity to engage with different legislators during this time.
At 9:30 a.m., the retirees moved to the House gallery on the third floor, where the House was in session. They witnessed the reading of a bill acknowledging Texas teachers’ contributions before the session ended after about forty minutes. Legislators also arranged to meet with retirees during lunch and again after 2:30 p.m. in their offices or back on the East Lawn.
At 10:30 a.m., the focus shifted to the Senate gallery on the third floor, where retirees listened to a resolution read in honor of Texas retired teachers for the week of March 24-28. Senator Joan Huffman presented a bill honoring these educators, followed by a speech from Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, which emphasized the importance of teaching.
Senator Kevin Sparks remarked that “what teachers do matters,” and Senator Cesar Blanco shared personal anecdotes about the impact teachers have had on his life. He expressed his gratitude for their dedication to teaching and community values. Other senators followed suit, recounting their own experiences with influential teachers and recognizing the vital role they play in society. Senator Marsha Farney emphasized unity, stating that “we are one team united,” while Senator Donna Campbell noted that “teachers shape the future of Texas.”
The recognition did not stop there. Senators acknowledged retirees for their commitment to volunteerism and their support for literacy initiatives through work with children’s book funds.
As the clock struck noon, retirees gathered on the East Lawn to enjoy a complimentary boxed lunch, highlighted by an ice cream social featuring Amy’s Ice Cream. This event offered retirees a chance to connect with legislators and network with other retirees from across the state, fostering a sense of community and fellowship.
At the forefront of the discussions, Tim Lee, executive director for Texas Retired Teachers since 2004, recounted the accomplishments of the TRTA. He highlighted notable achievements, including the passing of the COLA, the first cost-of-living adjustment for retired teachers in nearly two decades, and the successful passage of HB-82, the Social Security Fairness Act. This act repealed the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP), much to the benefit of retirees across various groups.
Tim Lee expressed his sincere gratitude to the lawmakers in attendance for their support and advocacy, acknowledging that such achievements would not have been possible without their cooperation and willingness to listen to the needs of retired teachers. In recognition of his hard work, the Senate paid tribute to Tim Lee for his dedication to education and collaboration.
As the day concluded, retirees had one final chance to meet with their legislators before boarding buses to return home, leaving the Capitol after a memorable and impactful experience.
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