3/3/10 Executive -Director Andy Thomas, President Nancy Tolson, Legislative Cokmmittee Chair Bob Kraft arranged a telephone conference with the State Legislative Committee today to inform the Committee with updates concerning HB. 1205 and Amendment 9 of SB. 309. Amendment 9 of Senator Ron Alting's SB. 309 is cancelled (See below.). Our leaders will be alert to make sure it doesn't come up in another bill. There is a possibility that HB 1205 may go to the Governor without the statement about joining PERF and TERF Boards, still including the 13th check. ANDY THOMAS, WE APPRECIATE IMMEDIATE E-MAIL CONCERNING RETIRED TEACHER PROSPECTIVE LEGISLATION. 4/17/10, the All Committee Workshop will meet. STAY WITH rtatbc.org FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION.
3/1/10 On 2/27/10, TBC/RTA Legislative Chair, Donna Kenney, left a message for Hyram, Senator
Alting's Legislative Assistant, expressing concern that the House Amendment 9 to SB. 309, JUST THE AMENDMENT, would have a negative effect on the bottom line of the ISTRF. Received a
call from Hyram, Senator Alting's Legislative Assistant, stating that Senator Alting does not like the amendment, and he is removing it from SB. 309. THANK YOU TBC/RTA RETIRED TEACHERS WHO CONTACTED SEN. ALTING PER THE 2/27 REQUEST!! THANK YOU, SENATOR ALTING, FOR UNDERSTANDING OUR CONCERN ABOUT THE ISTRF FUNDING.
2/27/10 ANOTHER POSSIBLE HIT TO THE ISTRF; NOT NEEDED, AS THE STATE DEFICIT TO THE FUND IS 11 BILLION DOLLARS, THE WORST-FUNDED TEACHER RETIREMENT FUND IN THE U.S.. The Senate Bill 309, authored by Senator Ron Alting, (District 22), has been amended
in the House to lower the contribution rate from school corporations by at least 17 million dollars, which monies are needed to help fund the ISTRF. The amendment was introduced on the House floor without any public input or consideration by the Pension Management Oversight Commission. THANK YOU, IRTA EXECUTIVE-DIRECTOR ANDY THOMAS, PRESIDENT NANCY TOLSON, STATE LEGISLATIVE CHAIR BOB KRAFT FOR YOUR CONTINUAL PRESENCE AT THE STATE HOUSE IN THE LEGISLATURE KEEPING TRACK OF RETIRED TEACHER LEGISLATION AND ALERTING LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE TO RESPOND. AMENDMENT 9 TO SB. 309 IS A BAD IDEA WHICH HURTS INDIANA RETIRED TEACHERS. TBC/ RTA TEACHERS, WE MUST RESPOND TO THIS LEGISLATION. CALL, E-MAIL SENATOR ALTING REQUESTING THE ELIMINATION OF HOUSE AMENDMENT 9 TO SENATE BILL 309!!
2/25/10 Because there are two amendments to HB. 1205, the Bill will return to the House for
further action. Rep Niezgodski, author of HB. 1205, will make a decision about HB.1205 with the amendments. If his decision is to carry on with the Bill, it will have to be voted on in the House of Representatives. WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME. The Indiana Legislature session ends 3/14/10. Rep. Patrick Bauer stated in the Indianapolis Star on Sunday, 2/28/10, that he would like to end the legislative session early. Because Governor Daniels is promoting the joining of PERF and TERF Boards, to save possibly $50 million dollars, and this issue is included in the HB. 1205 amendment, there is still hope for HB. 1205.
2/22/10 GREAT NEWS!! HB.1205 PASSED OUT OF THE SENATE. HARD-WORKING NANCY TOLSON, IRTA PRESIDENT, ANDY THOMAS, IRTA EXECUTIVE-DIRECTOR, BOB KRAFT,STATE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR, HAVE ATTENDED ALL HB. 1205 LEGISLATIVE HEARINGS.
IRTA MEMBERS SHOUT THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY. THEY ARE EXHAUSTED.
2/22/10 IT WAS A GREAT PARTY IN THE ROTUNDA OF THE STATE HOUSE!! TBC/RTA MEMBERS APPRECIATE OUR ATTENDING LEGISLATORS -- REP. SHEILA KLINKER, DIST. 27, REP. RANDY TRUITT, DISTRICT 26, REP. DON LEHE, DIST.15, ALL ATTENDED THE LEGISLATIVE LUNCHEON. SENATOR RON ALTING WAS IN CAUCUS.
2/17/10 Your Legislative Chair, Donna Kenney, (also Webmaster), attended the Senate Labor Committee Hearing and the House Ways and Means Committee Hearing concerning HB.1205. HB.1205 includes PERF and TERF in the same legislation, extended to include joining PERF and TERF Boards and continuing the 13th check.Governor Daniel, in response to the critical shortage of state funding, has recommended that the PERF AND TERF Boards be joined to save possibly $50 million dollars. IRTA is requesting that 50 million dollars savings be appropriiated to the ISTRF. The State of IN. owes the ISTRF $11 billion dollars. Because state revenues are requiring serious budget cuts, the ISTRF COLA has been eliminated from HB.1205. Joining Boards is for organizational and investment purposes and does not affect TERF's independence in requesting COLAs. The IRTA Executive-Director, Andy Thomas, testified at the House Ways and Means Committee Hearing 2/17/10.
2/15/10 Your Legislative Chair, Donna Kenney, State Legislative Committee, participated in two State Legislative Committee conference calls, 2/5 and 2/12, officiated and moderated by our Executive-Director, Andy Thomas. These calls provided an update about HB.1205 and the strategy of approaching the Senate with the Bill. Additional guidance was provided by our IRTA President, Nancy Tolson and Chair of the IRTA State Legislative Committee, Bob Kraft.
2/2/10 MORE GOOD IRTA NEWS!! HB.1205, providing a 1% COLA and a THIRTEENTH CHECK
to retired teachers, passed the INDIANA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES today with a vote of
82 - 1. Nancy Tolson, IRTA President stated three reasons this bill should pass: 1. revenue neutral; 2. an assumed 1 1/2% yearly COLA in the IN. statute; 3. rising teacher cost of living. Bob Kraft, Chair of the IRTA Legislative Committee, encourages us to contact TBC Senators to express support for HB. 205. (Contact information for TBC Senators is at the beginning of these reports.) ANDY THOMAS, IRTA EXECTUTIVE DIRECTOR, DIDN'T MISS A HOUSE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE HEARING, determined to get HB.1205 through the House. Now he is focused on the Senate and Senators. THANK YOU, ANDY, BOB, AND NANCY.
1/12/10 ANDY THOMAS; IRTA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; BOB KRAFT, CHAIR LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE; NANCY TOLSON, IRTA PRESIDENT, INTENSELY INVOLVED WITH IRTA LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. TERRIFIC START!!! GREAT NEWS!! House Bill.1205, Hybrid
COLA Bill, passed out of the House Labor and Employment Committee, UNANIMOUSLY,on
January 12th, with a BIPARTISAN 9 - 0 vote. HB.1205, authored by Representative David Niezgodski, provides a 1% COLA and a one time payment for IRTA and PERF retirees.
A COLA increase of 1 1/2% per year is assumed in the valuation of the ISTRF. Since our
COLA is less than 1 1/2%, it is considered "revenue neutral".
1/22/10. EXCITING LEGISLATIVE LUNCHEON. This year, 2/22/10, the IRTA Legislative Luncheon, for ALL 150 LEGISLATORS (House and Senate), is scheduled in the INDIANA STATE HOUSE ROTUNDA, 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.. WHAT A GREAT IDEA, ANDY, BOB, NANCY. The Legislature is in session, and the legislators do no have to move out of the State House into the snow and cold. During the luncheon meeting, information concerning the 2010 Indiana Retired Teachers legislative agenda will be presented, also matters of concern to retired teachers
There will be no charge for IRTA members' luncheons. If you are able to attend, please CONTACT DONNA KENNEY FOR INFORMATION!!.
1/5/10. THE 116TH INDIANA GENERAL ASSEMBLY CONVENED TODAY FOR A SHORT SESSION. ("Lawmakers have a lot to do, without much cash or time." Indianapolic Star.)
Legislative work must be completed by 3/14/10.
12/4/09. ON FRIDAY, 2/4/09, AT THE MALL, TBC/RTA RANG THE SALVATION ARMY BELLS. .
11/19/09 The final TBC/RTA meeting, at Westminster, 10/19/09, was a delightful event. Five newly retired teachers attended and received a rousing welcome. The TERRIFIC TRIO ENCOURAGED TBC/RTA TEACHERS TO RAISE OVER $600 FOR FOOD FINDERS. WAY TO GO!!
11/17/09. ORGANIZATION DAY FOR THE 116TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY; THE ASSEMBLY WILL WILL CONVENE 1/5/10.
11/19/09 OUR REPRESENTATIVE SHEILA KLINKER (District 27) was chair of the last 2009 TBC-RTA meeting Her supurb organizing skills, ability to greet most members by name, excellent record on the House Ways and Means Committee gave us all the opportunity to present ideas about legislation, and to enjoy this delightful meeting. THANK YOOU, REPRESENTATIVE KLINKER!! President, Nancy Tolson and her husband, Jack, were our guests. Nancy, in her excellent presentation, clarified the IRTA COLA position. We ask for a traditional COLA. Retired teachers understand the state's limited revenue and difficult financial position in this recessionary time. She and Jack have a standing inviation for a return visit next year. We know that Nancy's presentations for retired teachers before the General Assembly were a strong factor in our receiving the one-time supplemental check, or 13th check, with our September, '09 retirement. Hours and hours of meeting and travel time are examples of her strong commitment to the IRTA presidency and to retired teachers. Thank you, Nancy. SEE YOU NEXT YEAR, IF YOU CAN FIT US AMONG MANY OBLIGATIONS. YOU'RE WONDERFUL!!
11/19/09 Representative Sheila Klinker, She serves with distinction, on the House Ways and Means Committee and her CASA legislation raised $85,000, more coming in regularly, for this very important organization. CASA is a major commitment for many retired teachers, and the IRTA has received commendations from Governor Mitch Daneils for CASA community involvement. Sheila Klinker's community involvement is second to none. Whenever there is a meeting concerning a community issue, YOU ARE THERE!!. REPRESENTATIVE KLINKER, WE APPRECIATE YOU!!
10/14/09 RETIRED TEACHERS APPRECIATION DAY!! WE FELT REALLY HONORED!! HEY, ANDY THOMAS AND STAFF!! THANK YOU FOR HOURS AND HOURS OF COMMITMENT AND HARD WORK IN PREPARATION!! ANDY AND STAFF DID IT ALL!! THEY PRESENTED A DELIGHTFUL LUNCH -- LOTS AND LOTS OF FOOD!! IRTA STAFF MEMBERS, WHO WORK HARD WITH ANDY ARE: JULIE GREEN, ANGELA KAPPAS, MARY ROBINSON, LINNIE HARRIS, SHARON LAUGHLIN, AND TINA WOOD THANK YOU! THANK YOU!.
Events were enjoyed by retired teachers: Introduction of the outstanding CASA volunteer by IN. Chief Justice Randall Shepard; Presentation by IN. Lt. Governor, Becky Skillman; Recognition of IN. retured teachers over 100 years old (more than 80 of us, all women); Recognition of IRTA Past Presidents; Comments from 7 Representatives. Our SHEILA KLINKER spoke to the importance of expressing appreciation to our Legislators. She is delighted that retired teacher are involved in CASA, the legislation she introduced in the Legislature, which included a $750,000 program appropriation.
9/22/09. EXCELLENT TURN-OUT! TWO SUPERB PRESENTATIONS! AREA 3, 4 FALL WORKSHOP, CRAWFORDSVILLE, IN., FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. BOB KRAFT, IRTA LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE CHAIR, addressed 2009 legislative accomplishments and the prospective 1010 legislative challenges. He stated that the IRTA State Legislative Committee has recommended a request to the Legislature for a traditional 1010 COLA. The traditional COLA compounds and provides an on-going increase in retirement benefits. The one- time check for retired teachers, an appreciated hedge against inflation, is without the compounding quallities of a traditional COLA. Senator Luke Kenley, Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, aware that reduced state revenues, due to the recession, made a traditional COLA unfundable, changed the language of HB 1498 to state that each retired teacher, in 2009, would receive a one-time supplemental check. This check does not compound. It is labeled 13th check in our Sept. retirement statements, although we are aware that it is not a traditional TRF 13th check. The traditional TRF check is issued from TRF Annuity profits. There have been no recent Annuity profits. We assume that some of the monies funding the one-time check are Federal Stimulus..Bob Kraft stated that the IRTA will go to the 1010 Legislature with a request for a 1010 compounding traditional COLA, which will provide an on-going increase in retirement.
TREMENDOUS WELL-RESEARCHED WHITE PAPER POWER POINT PRESENTATION BY IRTA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ANDY THOMAS! ! After months of archiving, Andy has developed a history of the IRTA. Through this instrument we understand the problems of Pay as You Go Retirement Program, the responsibilities the Legislature accepted with the passage of the 1995
Pension Stabilization Fund, the characteristics of the 1996 Teacher Retirement Fund 2, every IRTA issue which affects our legislative opportunities, goals, and limits. The Legislature has recently taken TRF monies to pay teacher retirement. TEACHER RETIREMENT MONIES ARE A BUDGET ITEM. More later.
PROUDLY WE ANNOUNCE -- THAT THE HARD WORK OF OUR TERRIFIC TRIO, DORIS, JANET, AND JOYCE, AND THE COMMITMENT OF TBC/RTA TO MEETING NEDS OF UNDERPRIVILEGED CHILDREN MADE POSSIBLE THE CONTRIBUTION OF $502. TO FOOD FINDERS. THANK YOU, ONE AND ALL!!
FOOD FINDERS DONATION OPPORTUNITY!!! BRING GIFTS OF MONEY AND FOOD TO OUR 9/17 MEETING. Our TERRIFIC TRIO, Doris, Janet, Joyce, NEED OUR HELP!!! The Tippecanoe Food Finders are providing food for many recession-devestated jobless, struggling to meet the needs of their families. Money gifts to FOOD FINDERS provide food at a lower cost than retail purchases. Non-perishable foods (cans of fruit, vegetables, pork and beans, packages of cereal, macaroni and cheese) are also appreciated.
8/27/09. EXAMINE CAREFULLY YOUR SEPTEMBER RETIREMENT CHECK. THE ONE-
TIME CHECK FOR RETIRED TEACHERS IS INCLUDED IN YOUR SEPTEMBER
RETIREMENT CHECK. (See 4/15 web-site item for information concerning your one-time amount, based on your years of service.) THE ISTRF IS LABELING THIS ONE-TIME CHECK THE 13TH CHECK, NOT AN ACCURATE LABEL. The traditional 13th check is composed of annuity earnings, and there has not been a traditional 13th check for a while.
8/07 - 8/10/09 TBC/RTA MURDOCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SUPPLIES DONATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION. TBC/RTA HAS BEEN HELPING OUR COMMUNITY WHERE IT COUNTS!!
Our members donated $672.75 for Murdock School supplies, and our TERRIFIC TRIO, Doris, Janet, and Joyce, searched the community for the BEST BARGAINS. IMPORTANT COMMUNITY SERVICE!!
THE LEGISLATORS TAKE NOTE OF IRTA MILLION HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE. WE EARN OUR COLAS AND ONE-TIME CHECKS FOR RETIRED TEACHERS!!,
7/16/09 ISTRF Executive Secretary, Steve Russo, has an important job which affects the pocketbooks of retired teachers. The TRF has developed a new format to provide retired teachers with easy to understand, helpful information with the recent newsletter. Retired teachers can set up an interactive account by visiting the ISTRF Web site at
www.in.gov/trf and click on My Account. You can change your account information by mailing in a form. Forms are available for printing on the Web Site under the Forms section. You can adjust your IRS withholding amount by visiting the Web Site. Tax determination must be provided by your tax adviser. The TRF staff is not authoriized to make federal tax withholding changes over the phone. The one-time check for retired teachers will not be sent separately, but will be included in your monthly retirement check by 10/1/09. Any retired teacher eligible to receive the first benefit check by 7/1/09 will receive this special one-time payment for retired teachers.
7/16/09 ANDY THOMAS, OUR GUEST CLARIFIED THIS ISSUE. CONFUSION EXISTS DUE TO ACRONYMS.
The ISTA is being administered by the NEA, the National Education Association, due to ISTA legal and financial problems. The ISTA is not financial stable, cannot meet its long-term care disability obligations. AMBA, the IRTA umbrella for health insurance services, is financial viable, and is able to provide insurance assistance to covered members. TO AVOID CONFUSION, WE ARE THE INDIANA RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION, OUTSIDE OUR LOCAL MEETINGS!
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7/8/09. STATE LEGISLATIVE MEETING. Robert Kraft is the new, very competent Chair of this Committee, and Nancy Tolson has moved up into the Presidency of the IRTA.Your webmaster, Donna Kenney, serves on the IRTA State Legislative Committee. We discussed the 2010 Short Legislative session and the IRTA goals for next year. We are needing a traditional COLA in 2010, which will compound and be continual.
The one-time supplemental check for retired teachers is very much appreciated in this time of recession, and we were very fortunate to receive it. However, A one-time check does not compound, does not improve the value of our retirement checks over the years. IMPORTANT --
TRADITIONAL COLA, IN 2010!! CONTACT YOUR LEGISLATORS WITH APPRECIATION FOR THE 2009 ONE-TIME CHECK FOR RETIRED TEACHERS. Representative Sheila Klinker has stated that Legislators appreciate appreciation. REMEMBER, IN 2010 WE GO TO THEM WITH A NEW AGENDA!! More later about the IRTA White Paper, a work in progress for Andy Thomas, our IRTA Executive-Director, and the IRTA State Legislative Committee.
7/3/09. This is overdue, because I was waiting for the IN. Legislature, in the Special Session, to decide about the budget. Fortunately, the budget was signed into law on 6/30/09, at a little past 6:00 PM.. The end of the fiscal year is 6/30, after which few state obligations can be met without an active budget. IN. does not have a resolution allowing the Governor to spend taxpayers' money after the end of the fiscal year, if there is no budget by 6/30. We are happy for the budget.
I called Andy Tbomas, the IRTA Executive-Director, to inquire about the stability of our pension in case there was no budget before the end of the fiscal year. We know that the retirement check is comprised of annuity and pension monies. Andy was waiting for a reply from the ISTRF, when the budget passed. Larry and Carol Weise were perceptive in inviting Steve Russo, the ISTRF Executive Secretary, to present the 7/16 program.
Thanks, Larry, Carol, for getting TWO IMPORTANT GUESTS -- THE ISTRF EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, STEVE RUSSO, AND THE IRTA EXECUTIVE-DIRECTOR, ANDY THOMAS!! Andy Thomas will answer questions concerning AMBA long term care insurance, (United Teacher Associates) which is stable and paying claims. The ISTA, taken over by the NEA, has not been able to pay long term care claims. There was confusion among our members about this issue.
6/10/09 BIG MISUNDERSTANDING! ! ! United Teacher Associates is the long-term disability insurance company representing the IRTA. United Teacher Associates pays all long-term disability claims -- NO PROBLEM. The ISTA ( active teachers' organization) has been taken over by the NEA ( National Education Association) due to long-term disability insurance problems, and the ISTA has stopped paying all long-term disability claims. THE IRTA LONG-TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE COMPANY (UNITED TEACHER ASSOCIATES) PAYS ALL LONG-TERM DISABILITY CLAIMS! !
6/10/09 The ISTRF (IN. STATE TEACHERS RETIREMENT FUND) HOLDS ALL IN. RETIRED AND ACTIVE TEACHERS' ANNUITY MONIES. Three IN. organizations invested 42.5 md. in Chrysler bonds. These organizations are the ISTRF, Major Moves Fund, and the Police Fund.
The state of IN.argued that U. S. bankruptcy law requires bondholders to get preferential treatment as senior lenders. The terms for the merger of Chrysler and Fiat companies limited reimbursement to bondholders. Bondholders got no ownership claim in the new Chrysler-Fiat company. The case for IN. was heard before the Supreme Court. The decision was that IN. Chrysler bondholders would receive some compensation, but would undergo much investment loss, as the merger of the two companies finalized. UNFORTUNATELY, THE ISTRF .LOSS WAS 4.6 MD..
/8/09, GOVERNOR SIGNS COLA BILL!!! On 4/28/09 House Bill1498 (Cola Bill) passed the House of Representatives, the last step in the legislative process, and on 5/8/09, Governor
Mitch Daniels signed the Cola Bill into law. When House Bill 1498 was in the Senate, Senator Luke Kenley changed the language, and the present bill is not a traditional compounding Cola, but NOW HB 1498 provides a one-time supplemental check for retired teachers. SEE DETAILS OF NEW
LANGUAGE BELOW, 4/15/09, WHICH STATES YOUR CHECK AMOUNT.
4/15/09, COLA BILL 1498 PASSED THE SENATE 50 - 1!
4/15/09 Due to serious economic concerns, Senator Kenley changed the original HB 1498 language, to state that HB 1498 now provides supplemental checks for retired teachers. The years used to compute members retirement benefits are our years of creditable service, and determine the amount of our retirement checks and our supplemental checks, as follows: Years 5 - 9 -- $150, only if they are receiving disability, retirement benefits;Years 10 - 19 -- $275; Years 20 - 29 -- $375; Years 30 on -- $450. The supplemental checks are payable before 10/1/09..
WE THANK SENATOR KENLEY FOR CHANGING THE LANGUAGE OF COLA BILL1498, NOW A SUPPLEMENTAL CHECK FOR RETIRED TEACHERS. The language change saves the State of Indiana 82md. The cost of the COLA is 99md.. The cost of the supplemental checks is $17md..
2/09 DUES DEDUCTION STATEMENTS FROM THE 2/12/09 IRTA LEGISLATIVE BULLETIN -- "Under current law an organizatiion is required to have 20% of the RETIRED membership of the retirement fund in order to qualify for dues deduction. Two proposed amendments would have added ACTIVE teachers to the 20% threshold.which means that the active teachers' union would qualify for the dues deduction, despite the obvious fact that dues deduction is for RETIRED teachers.This would have put the IRTA at a disadvantage in membership recruitment and retention." The amendments DID NOT PASS, but the active teachers' union may try to put this amendment in another piece of legislation. WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please contact your Senators and Representatives. Let them know that YOU DO NOT WANT ANY CHANGES IN THE CURRENT LAW REGARDING DUES DEDUCTION FOR RETIRED TEACHERS!!
Representative Sheila Klinker, Donna Kenney, TBC/RTA Legislative Chair -- 2/5/09,
Senate E-mail address --
S_@IN.gov The Senator's district number follows the "S". .
House E-mail address --
H_@IN.gov The House Member's district number follows the "H".
Senate -- 1-800-382--9467 House -- 1-800-382-9842
District Numbers: TBC REPRESENTATIVES: Klinker - 27; Truitt - 26; Brown - 41;
Lehe - 15; McClain - 24
TBC SENATORS: Alting - 22; Landske - 6; Hershman - 7.