Legislative Bulletin # 1

January 25, 2016

As this short session of the legislature quickly rolls along, IRTA has closely monitored the progress of three bills. The first one is HB 1325 which proposed moving the early retirement age back from the “Rule of 85” to “Rule of 95”. We were pretty sure from the start that this bill would not be heard as that was the opinion of most of the State Representatives to whom we talked. It was reassigned from the Employment, Labor and Pensions to the House Rules Committee, which is the grave yard for legislation each session, effectively ending our concern for this session.

The next bill of interest is HB 1161 “13th Check Bill” and we felt that this bill would be pushed through the House since Labor and Pensions Chairman Doug Gutwein authored the bill and Rep. Burton joined him as co-author. We are working with House members to get an increase in the check since it has not happened since the inception of the “13th Check”. There is still an outside chance we might see a slight increase in the check amount.

HB 1161 went unanimously through Employment, Labor, and Pensions Committee and during the Ways and Means Committee, Chairman Brown offered an amendment that funds the “13th Check” from the proceeds of the recent “tax amnesty” program. This passed the House Ways and Means Committee unanimously. This is a big step because the bill usually passes through the House, but without funding established. This should help us greatly as it passes over to the Senate side.

HB 1004 is being promoted as a tool to help with Teacher Shortage. I do not find much in this bill that would inspire me to become a teacher. The biggest problem that we have with the bill is that it has the “Defined Contribution Only” component in it for future educators as an option. I testified against it, but it still passed out of committee 9-3. I do not see how it can benefit future educators. If this bill passes through the senate, it opens the door for further expansion of the DC down the road. Legislators argue that it gives educators more freedom and choices. Our pension plan gives us all of the same options, plus the Defined Benefit, which is our best retirement tool. Having teachers vested in 5 years would give our teachers better options, especially those that come to us as second career teachers. We appreciate all of you who contacted the House Education Committee. We have work to do as this bill moves over to the Senate in a couple of weeks.

Rep. Cherry was going to author our COLA bill this year. It was in draft form and just days prior to the session beginning, Rep. Cherry had a medical emergency. We were told that his bills would be carried forward. Just prior to the bill filing deadline, we checked on the bill again and were told this time that leadership decided not to move that bill forward through the House, but would have stalled in the Senate. We wish Rep. Cherry a speedy recovery.

Please attend our Legislative Brunch and remember our free bus service from the IRTA office that leaves at 8:30 and returns at 12.

As I have observed last year and with my involvement in the legislature this year I feel very confident that the House members understand our plight and are supportive. The Employment, Labor and Pensions Committee and the House Ways and Means are especially supportive and understanding. Please write, or call, to thank them at:

200 W. Washington Street

Indianapolis, IN 46204

Or

1. To find your legislators, go to “Indiana General Assembly Home” (www.in.gov/legislative) At the bottom of the screen, click on the tab “Find Your Legislator” and put in your address.

2. Go to any Town Hall, Cracker Barrel, meetings that may be held in your area. We want to introduce ourselves or make ourselves known as interested retired educators, and they hear our message.

3. We are getting much support, so please start by thanking House Members for the “13th check” and hope the Senate will do the same. Listen as well as talk in polite and reasonable ways.