Legislative Bulletin #8

After the chaos of the past week, the legislators have gone home until Tuesday.  We are still meeting and talking, but our chance of getting a COLA faded this week when we were told that HB 1481 would not be heard.

Sad to say, one legislator stands between us and a COLA!

 

HOWEVER: it isn’t over until the last gavel bangs and they go home for the summer.  We do know that there are House members who still want us to get some help.  Therefore, we are talking to them to say that if all we can get is the so-called, “13^th check,” it needs to be larger, but even more importantly, it needs to help those on the lower end who get so little in their monthly pension.

 

As you talk to legislators over the next week or two, please remind them that our latest figures from INPRS show that over 14,000 retired teachers get less than $1,000 monthly.  That isn’t a pension to allow for many luxuries!

 

We still feel that many of the members of the House truly want to get something done, be it a COLA or the “13^th check.”   We will be working with some friends in the Senate in the coming days to see what can be done.

 

Perhaps it is simply from the tension and stress that has been evident over the past days that makes me feel pessimistic, but I have to tell you that I do not see a COLA in the future until and unless there is no longer a “Super Majority” in the legislature.  I hope I am wrong, but Tom is going to have battles to fight next year and longer, so all we can do is help him in any way he asks.

 

I do want to tell you that I feel very good about one thing—I asked you to contact Senator Long, and according to his administrative assistant, he got “lots” of letters and emails.

Thank you for doing your part!  And please do not feel that it didn’t matter.  It does matter; it is simply that the system is rigged against us for the time being.

 

Please continue to write and email, and if one of your legislators tells you he or she is for the COLA or for some form of help, especially if it is a Republican, ask them to please speak for us in their caucus.  That is where most of the decisions are made!  We are actively trying to find some voices in that caucus who will support us.  We have a few, but need more to speak up to those who control it. 

 

As we know more, we will keep you updated.

 

Nancy