Legislative Blog
J.B. Williams, J.D.
Proposition 9 - November 7, 2023 - NO
A Blog about Education
A Bit of Background
The following backgrounds help summarize the author's views on both the general topic: Texas and more specifically Education as it relates to that topic.
Brief Summary of Texas
Texas is truly a Republic. There are a multitude of items that to modify the state constitution must be modified. So there are times when Constitutional amendments are on the voting ballots. While I sometimes abhor the wording, the concept that all of those legally able to vote in Texas must vote on the change is a good one. And bills in Texas are generally short, making it easier for everyone to understand.
Summary of Education
This subtopic will be used to discuss bills dealing with the Texas education system. They may include legislation that has been signed into law or bills that are currently being considered in the Texas legislature. Many currently being brought are more focused on parental rights with regard to their children.
Blog Summary
HJR2
Introduced: 3/9/23
House Approved: 5/25/23
Senate Approved: 5/22/23
Voter Approved:
Pages: 3
Author: Bonnen, Capriglione, Burns with 13 other coauthors
Sponsor: Huffman, Bettencourt, Campbell, Hinojosa, West, Whitmire
Proposition 9 - November 7, 2023 - NO
Published: 2023-10-18
This is meant to provide a cost of living adjustment to those retired teachers that are eligible under the Teacher Retirement System of Texas. The funds for this will be taken from the general revenue fund. This is automatically set to expire September 1, 2025.
It doesn't state whether this would permit just a 1 time COLA increase to those whom qualify or whether it would permit the COLA to be implemented numerous times from when it's passed until it expires.
If the pensions have remained at the same rate over many years without any increased, I would understand needing to do something to increase pensions to those employees that are not otherwise covered by Social Security benefits. (Paying more in pension could potentially reduce the amount they receive from Social Security, and inevitably not increase their income at all.) Those that worked more than 27 years for the school system, based upon my reading on line of several articles, seem to be earning sufficient funds in retirement. Those that worked fewer years may not be. However, those that worked fewer years may also be eligible for Social Security or other retirement payments.
I also read that to maintain the fund, there are increases in what is coming out of teachers paychecks. So they are already having existing teachers pay more to continue the benefits. While this is a one time (that is the claim) thing, it is coming out of general revenues for the state. If this increased payment is meant to be an on-going thing, then their fund will need more money to keep up. Or is this a one time payout to those eligible that they receive for 1 year and then benefits resume to the prior amounts.
All in all, I don't feel positive about this Amendment. Again I understand wanting to provide a pay raise for retired teachers, I just don't think the fund can handle any increases; and I'm not sure making a larger payment for 1 year will make much difference to those receiving it.
I agree that providing a different method of funding, like a GR plan, for current teachers may be a good idea. Apparently other government employees already have this option.
I know many teachers in Texas, and all but a few work other jobs which pay into Social Security. Those that I know that did not, did not because they had a spouse paying into Social Security. And since a larger pension may reduce the Social security benefit, I don't see this as a benefit to the individual nor to the State of Texas taxpayer, nor the fund for this should the increase be payable from there forward.
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