1/27/12  Today work to promote HB1123 begins in the Senate.  BOB KRAFT (IRTA PRESIDENT),

expresses appreciation to ANDY THOMAS for his continual fight to get this teacher bill 1123

out of the House and in the Senate.  He also is expressing thanks to Carol Grieser, Dennis Bourquien, and Nancy Tolson, for their efforts on behalf of this effort. Bob will be at the 

Legislature next week to add his support to the process of getting retired teachers a 13th

check.  He is reminding us -- PLEASE BRING A COLLEAGUE TO THE LEGISLATIVE LUNCHEON, TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28TH -- OUR OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THANK YOU AND TO PROMOTE OTHER RETIRED TEACHER LEGISLATION.. .

1/26/12  Another e-mail from Carol Grieser with the informatiion that HB1123 (13th check) just passed out of the House, now in the Senate..  The Democrats returned and established a quorum.  Carol calls it a "miracle". THANK YOU, ANDY AND CAROL.  WE ARE DELIGHTED!   E-MAILS, NOTES IN APPRECIATION  GO TO SPEAKER BOSMA, REP. ESPICH, REP.NEECE, REP. BURTON.  WITHOUT THEIR SUPPORT WE WOULDN'T HAVE A 13TH CHECK!  THANK YOU, NANCY TOLSON!

1/25/12  "Democrats Flee An Indiana Vote on Union Bill" (The New York Times).  "And so with the

national spotlight soon to descend on Indianapolis for the Super Bowl and with the tense stand-off

only rising between lawmakers and protesters,  Indiana finds itself in the center of a fight over the role of unions and their power, not unlike the issues that boiled over last year in Ohio and Wisconsin."

1/24/12  THANK YOU, CAROL GRIESER, FOR YOUR SUPERB COMMITMENT TO INDIANA

RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION.  Carol (Chair, IRTA State Legislativei Committee), on which your webmaster serves, is in the Legislature working with Andy Thomas (IRTA Executive-Director)..

The Democrats have vacated the House.  Andy and Carol are both sorting through the entanglements caused by the absent Democrats.  The 13th check bill (HB1123) must have a second and third reading and voted on before January 31st.  Carol works to fascilitate Andy's

access to vital representatives who will help pass the 13th check bill, working to accelerate

meetings for Andy with Representatives Woody Burton and Vanetta Becker.  Andy also has had meetings with Steve Russo, (PERF) , Ralph Ayres and  Steve Moberly, (past IRTA Executive-Directors), important advisors.  Carol stresses that Andy is dooing a great job for IRTA.  We are 

delighted to have the immense commitments of Andy Thomas and Carol Grieser. 

of the IRTA.   .  .

1/24/12  "SENATE OKS 'RIGHT TO WORK' BILL  DEMS STALL FINAL HOUSE VOTE" (STAR)

The Indiana Senate passed the 'Right to Work" bill late Monday (23rd).  House Democrats went behind closed doors again Monday, after Republicans rejected every Democratic amendment including Referendum. 

1/19/12  HB 1162  3% COLA is sponsored by Representative Timothy Neese.(R-Elkhard, St. Joseph).  COLAS provide for a cost of living adjustment (COLA)  for public employee retirement fund (PERF) and teacher retiree fund (TRF) members, survivors, and beneficiaries.  This bill has not been set for hearing.  (Effective July 1, 2012)  The pension portion  (plus post-retirement increases to the fund)  provided by employer contributions of the monthly benefits, payable after June 30, 2012 to a member of ISTRF (or a survivor or beneficiary)  who retired or was disabled before January 1, 2012

shall be increased by 3% (is in addition to any other increases provided by law.)

SAVE THE DATE! !  FEBRUARY 28TH

INDIANA RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION LEGISLATIVE BRUNCH ,  

INDIANA STATE HOUSE.

Morning Brunch with Meeting 9:00 - 11:00

We need good representation. PLEASE BE THERE!

1/19/12  "NO ONE'S BUDGING.  NOW WHAT?"  (Star, 1/19).  Protesters from labor unions chanted at the State House, "Occupy the Super Bowl!".  They want either defeat  Right-to-Work or a referendum, The labor unions are supporting the Democrat position.  Republicans have voted to impose a $1,000 per-day-fine.on 35 Democrats who are stalling Right-to-Work legislation. Democrats have gone to court challenging the Republican threat to take $1,000 per-day-fines from their pay..

1/18/12  Today, House Speake  (R.)  Brian Bosma, announced  that House Democrats must be in their legislative seats to debate amendments to the Right to Work Bill or face $1,000 per person fines. House Minority Speaker  B. Patrick Bauer (D.- South Bend)  said Democrats need more time to redraft an amendment to address constitutuional issues related to the Right to Work referendum -which could take several days..  Representative Bauer called the fines "uncollectible". 

1/13/12  HB 2113 passed out of the House Ways and Means Committee with a vote of 18 - 1, Friday, January 13th.  It goes to the floor of the House for 2nd and 3rd readings.  It must pass before January 31st.  Andy has done his usual terrific job in working with Ways and Means Committee members to have the bill heard and voted on. 

 Remembering Representative Sheila Klinker's message that Legislators appreciate being appreciated, TBC/RTA members can help.   WE ALL HAVE A ROLE!  Note the 4th quarter 2011  BULLETIN BOARD COVER.  You will find the pictures of Legislators who author retired teacher legislation.  THANK YOU LETTERS SHOW APPRECIATION!   Representatives Tim Neese  (R-Whiteland, St. Joseph); Representative Woody Burton (R.- Johnson);  Senator Vanetta Becker (R-Vanderburgh, Warrick); Senator Ed Charbonneau (R-Jaspeer, LaPort, Marshall, Porter, Polaski, St. Joseph, Starke); and Senator Tim Skinner (D-Parke, Vermillian, Vigo, Warren)  are essential to the successful passage of retired teacher legislation.  THANK YOU LETTERS ARE CRITICAL!  Addresses can be found in the Bulletin Board, pp 5 - 8.   .  

1/11/12  Thirteentth Check  (HB 1123)  Author: Woody Burton.(R-Whiteland).  This Bill provides for a Thirteenth Check to certain members of ISTRF,  PERF, state excise police, gaming agent, gaming control officer, and conservation officers' retirement fund (C & E fund), to be heard in the House Ways and Means Committee.  IRTA Secretary- Treasurer, Dennis Bourquein, and IRTA Executive-Director, Andy Thomas, testified that we support the Bill, but a COLA is preferred.  The Bill is held for a later vote.   

1/12/11  TBC/RTA -- VOLUNTEER HOURS -- TERRIFIC ! ! !   YOUTH, 2635, OTHER, 7693! ! !

THANK YOU, TBC/RTA MEMBERS; FOR  OUR COMMUNITY COMMITMENT, CARRYING THROUGH ON IMPORTANT WORK WITH CHILDREN AND YOUTH IN OUR THREE

COUNTY AREA!! 

IN ORDER TO HELP STRUGGLING FAMILIES DURING THE CURRENT ECONOMIC SITUATION

THE TIPPECANOE/ BENTON/  CARROLL RETIRED TEACHER GROUP HELPED PROVIDE NEEDED SCHOOL SUPPLIES -- FOOD, CLOTHING, AND MONEY TO NEEDY FAMILIES.

IN AUGUST TBC/RTA DONATED $960 TO PURCHASE SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR LAFAYETTE'S

MIAMI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. IN ADDITION SEVERAL BAGS OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES WERE DONATED TO THE SCHOOL CHILDREN.  OUR TERRIFIC TRIO USED THE $960 TO PURCHASE SCHOOL SUPPLIES DURING WALMART'S BACK TO SCHOOL SALE.  ALL OF THE DONATED AND PURCHASED SUPPLIES WERE SORTED BY GRADE LEVEL FROM KINDERGARTEM THROUGH FOURTH GRADE.  DURING THE TWO-DAY MIAMI SCHOOL REGISTRATION, RETIRED TEACHERS VOLUNTEERED TIME TO SORT, DELIVER, AND PASS OUT SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO CHILDREN.  AFTER REGISTRATION, MIAMI TEACHERS WERE GIVEN THE REMAINING SUPPLIES TO BE USED AS NEEDED DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR. 

WE ALSO HELPED WITH REGISTRATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES.AND CLOTHING TO NEEDY FAMILIES DURING THE SALVATION ARMY'S AUGUST 13TH  TOOLS FOR SCHOOL'S EVENT.  DECEMBER 2ND, RETIRED TEACHERS RANG THE SALVATION

ARMY'S  BELLS AT THE TIPPECANOE MALL IN ORDER TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE SALVATION ARMY'S CHRISTMAS DRIVE.

TO FURTHER HELP THE COMMUNITY, WE COLLECTED $300  AND SEVERAL BAGS OF GROCERIES FOR THE FOOD FINDERS' FOOD BANK.  RETIRED TEACHERS ALSO DONATED $296 TO THE IRTA SCHOLARSHIP FUND.  IN SUMMARY, TIPPECANOE/ BENTON/

CARROLL COUNTY RETIRED TEACHERS MADE A DIFFERENCE TO MANY NEEDY FAMILIES.   (TERRIFIC TRIO,  JANET PARTLOW, JOYCE GOURKO, DORIS THOMPSON). 

1/10/12  Representative Sheila Klinker (District 27) , valued member of TBC/RTA, IRTA,  has suggested a Right-to-Work Referendum.  She believes it is important to LET THE VOTERS DECIDE and move the Legislature past this confrontational issue.  A referendum would allow voters to make a decision about Right-to-Work, this hot-button issue which stymed legislative action for five weeks in 2011 and 2012 legislature action  three days. On Monday, 1/9, Democratic legislators returned to their legislative places.   Representative Patrick Bauer stated that Democratic legislators are not glued to their seats and may walk again to slow down the decision on  the issue which House Speaker, Representative Brian Bosma, plans to bring to a vote before Friday, the 13th. Representative Bauer states that time is needed to inform voters about this issue. Representative Sheila Klinker believes a referendum is important.

1/7/12  "GOT PLANS FOR THAT POSSIBLE STATE TAXPAYER  REFUND?  NOT SO FAST"

(Andy Thomas' Legislative Report, 1/7/12).  We are now in a continuation of the unique problem for Indiana's Legislature -- WHAT TO DO WITH THE RESERVES!  Remember, the 2011 Legislative compromise. Split any surplus greater than 10%.  Any surplus greater than 10% would be divided equally between the Pension Stabilization Fund and refund checks to individual income-tax filers,

an item in the 2011 biennial budget. 

Before the 2012 legislative sessnon, Senator Luke Kenley was approached by the administration with the statement that any taxpayer's refund would be too small to provide effective assistance.  Under current law the automatic refund is triggered whenever the state's cash reserves (the excess amount in the State's bank, plus the rainy day fund, the school reserve account, and a Medicaid account) exceed 10% of the amount the state is budgeted to spend the following year.  By June, 2012, IN. could meet that trigger due to the $320m, recently discovered money added to the State bank 

Senator Kenley's bill 143 changes the 2011 law.  It modifies the requirement for the automatic tax

refund to kick in.  It prioritizes supplementing the Pension Stabilization Law (a reserve account 

supporting underfunded teacher retirement pensions)  Under the bill, the state is required to place

$633m into the school reserve account (used for school payments, when the economy dips, moving higher as payments increase).  This fund is empty now.  This school reserve account is exempted from the calculation determining whether the State reserve fund has enough money to generate a taxpayer refund. It raises the amount of money the State must have on hand before a taxpayer refund.

BETTER YET AHEAD! THE BILL PROVIDES MONEY TO THE PENSION STABILIZATION FUND BEFORE IT PROVIDES TAX REFUNDS.  IF THE RESERVES ARE LESS THAN 100M, ALL GOES

TO PENSIONS.  IF THE RESERVES ARE MORE THAN 100M, THEY ARE SPLIT BETWEEN

PENSION AND REFUND.  

Senator John Broden, (D), Chair of the Senate Appropriation Committee, stated that people have participated in public pension funds, and those people have a right to "rely on that". 

1/6/12  ( First thoughts considering State House news -- Legislative Breakfast?, Legislative Tea?,

Legislative Luncheon?.  Issues involving access to the State House involve retired teachers. Will

access limitations affect our ability to support Andy, when our issues are being negotiated?  When support is needed, we want to be there.)   The House of Representatives needs 67 of the 100 Representatives present for quorum to transact business.  House  Speaker, Brian Bosma,

(R.-.Indianapolis) plans to have the final vote on the Right-to-Work bill next week (1/9).  Democrats

are trying to slow down the process, ( a "Fast Track Deal "  Star).  Democrats have stayed behind closed doors, in caucus, .Wednesday, Thursday, Friday (1/4, 1/5, 1/6) and  will meet again on Monday to decide whether or not to go into session. Each Democratic representative is fined $1,000 per day he stays out,  2011 legislation included this penalty after five weeks away from the Legislature  by Democrats last year due to Right-to-Work legislation.  Republicans say Right-to-Work will bring new business, jobs  to Indiana.  Democrats say Right-to-Work means right to work for less, and limited  input for working conditions, job benefits.

1/2/12   In 2012, the need for a COLA is evident each time we shop.  An automatic COLA is an integral part of the traditional teacher retirement contract in many states.  In Indiana, our pay-as-you-go pre-96 retirement fund requires a complex negotiating process with the Legislature plus a positive economic climate  to put into effect a Cost-of Living adjustment. Thanks to the lobbying efforts of the IRTA, between 1982 and 2011, Indiana Retired Teachers received 15 COLAS.. In nine years, there were COLAS plus One-time Payments (13th Checks). In the years '91, '92, '93 retired teachers received One-Time Payments (13th checks).  In the years '09, '010, '011,  IN.. retired teachers and PERF retires received  One-Time Payments (13th checks).,  Thank you, Andy Thomas, for hard work, lengthy hours in the Legislature on behalf of IRTA issues. Thank you, retired teachers,  for letters, e-mails, telephone calls, persuasive meetings with Legislators in support of Andy, our excellent leadership, and our IRTA legislative agendas over the past years..

12/31/11  HAPPY NEW YEAR, LEGISLATURE 2012! !  The following statement is from the 12/17/11 Indianapolis Star.  "Damiels announced his support for the bill ( right to work) Thursday.  It is so contentious that it could blow up the session, as it did in 2011, when House Democrats fled to Illinois to stop it and other legislation aimed at unions. The legislation bans companies and unions from negotiating a contract that requires non-members to pay fees." ( Legislative time and focus for decision-making are  required by Indiana Retired Teachers Association for our important 2012 legislative agenda.)

12/27  (Star 12/27) "INDIANA'S $320M ERROR 'EYE-CATCHING,' EXPERT SAYS"  (HEADLINES FROM INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 12/12)  "A programming glitch had deprived the State of this

much-needed dough for more than four years." Everyone seems to have an idea about how this whopper surprise fund of money, $320m, should be allocated. During the 2011 legislative session, the Senate Appropriations Committee, (Chair, Senator Luke Kenley), voted' on the Senate version of the 2011 budget, to direct reserves over 12% to the State's Pension Stabilization Fund.. The House members, in their version of the budget, supported by Governor Mitch Daniels, agreed to use any reserves over 10% as automatic tax refunds.  The result was the 2011 budget compromise stating that any surplus over 10% was to be divided equally between the Pension Stabilization Fund and refund checks to individual income-tax filers. (Adding this 4320 to the state bank can trigger the

automatic refund.)

(Star 12/26)  If the $320m. surprise fund of state money recently discovered is added to the $1,2b in the State's bank, the $1.5b balance would trigger the automatic tax return, refunding to each taxpayer $8.50.  The next day the Star reported the Governor's perspective.   Based on the estimated 1.8b  the state will have on hand at the end of the current budget period, Govenor Daniels has stated  that every taxpayer would receive $50. (Seems to be a discrepency here.) Speaker of the House, Brian Bosma, said that the 10% threshhold is "hardly sacro-sanct".  He also said,  "I think we need to take a look at it and decide if it is the wisest use of state money" 

The newly discovered $320m , now in the  state's bank, is a terrific Christmas present for Indiana. Everyone has a different idea how this new bundle of moolah should be spent.  Because it is to be added to the state bank fund, 2011 legislation comes into play, if the reserves are over  10%.  THE 2011 LEGISLATIVE COMPROMISE IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THIS DETERMINATION.-- RESERVES OVER 10% ARE TO BE DIVIDED EQUALLY BETWEEN THE PENSION STABILIZATION FUND AND TAX REFUNDS.  ( Your webmaster -- PLACING HALF OF RESERVES OVER 10%  IN THE INDIANA PENSION STABILIZATION FUND, WILL ASSIST THE STATE OF INDIANA IN PROVIDING TEACHER RETIREMENT MONEY FOR BABY BOOMERS, WHO ARE RETIRING IN LARGE NUMBERS DUE TO THE CUT-BACK IN PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING.)  

 An expression of thanks to Governor Mitch Daniels for placing 30m each year from 2006 - 2011 into the Pension Stabilization Fund. The 1995 law  requires that each year from 1995 forward 55m is  to be placed into the Fund, 30m from the lottery and 25m from the State's General Fund. THANK YOU, GOVERNOR DANIELS, for a much needed contribution to the PSF.   No General Fund money has been placed in the Fund since 2001, and no lottery money went into the Fund from 2002 until 2006.  The Pension Stabilization Fund has a balance of about 2b...    

12/09/11  As our final community effort, the Retired Teachers Association of Tippecanoe, Benton, and Carroll Counties manned the bells at the Mall for the Salvation Army, Friday, December 2, from 9:00 a,m.to 5.00 p.m..  Later we will find our proceeds from our collection efforts, but we bellieve people were generous to this worthy appeal.

Participating members were: Nelson Mosson, Nellie VanSickle, Eleanor Hooker, Joyce Gourko,

Joan Manning, Judy Wright, Donna Kenney, Jane Hand, Jan and Bob Beutler, Paul McKowen,

Doris and David Thompson.  Submitted by Doris Thompson, Janet Partlowe, and Joyce Gourko

,  

11/24/11  THANKSGIVING DAY  Every day we have innumerable reasons to be thankful. Truth is, we get  involved in the joys and problems of day to day events. Too often we take good stuff for granted and don't pause and express appreciation for our many blessings. THANKSGIVING DAY

is that opportunity.  Through the grace of the ALMIGHTY and the commitment of determined forefathers. we have the freedom to vote, attend the church of our choice, speak to our individual issues, other gifts, which many struggled to preserve for us.  Thanksgiving is OUR opportunity, maybe responsibility,  to say THANK YOU, GOD BLESS!  

11/22/11  Tippecanoe, Benton, Carroll Retired Teachers Association had a great 11/17/11 meeting. 

Representative Sheila Klinker (District 27), acting as chair, presented some challenging issues, which will assure a lively, possibly confrontational, session. The Indianapolis Star reported that the Governor has chosen Right to Work as the foremost issue, which will activate union participation and rallies.  This 2012 legislature is the non-budget, even-year session, scheduled to start January 4 and end March 14, 2012. Organization Day was Tuesday, November 22, 2011.

.

NEW MEMBERS ARE CRITICAL TO THE IRTA. THEIR E-MAILS, LETTERS, TELEPHONE CALLS

TO LEGISLATORS ADD EFFECTIVENESS TO OUR ORGANIZATION.  THEY LIFT US UP AND ENCOURAGE US IN THE PURSUIT OF OUR ISSUES.  The TBC/RTA and IRTA new members are Janet Armstrong, Carol Camilotto, Sally Cole, Mary Isaacs, Debra Johnson, Kathy Johnson, Debra Kolczak, Kathy Swink, Esther Tingley, and Alice Thurston.  THANK YOU FOR SHARING MEMORIES AND JOINING US IN OUR WORK.  Representative Sheila Klinker was cited for ourstanding legislative service to Tippecanoe County, also to Indiana retired teachers, CASA,  the protection of infants and the disabled, many others  She has earned "stars in her crown.'  Thank you, Sheila Klinker.  Appreciaton was extended to Area 4 Director Don Metzger for attendance at our meetings, and his commitment and involvement in our local and state IRTA. We could say "Steadfast Don".  .

11/22/11 At our November meeting Sara Moore, Area IV Agency on Aging and Community Action Programs, provided  important information helping  Seniors understand that the excellent Area  IV programs are available to Seniors of all income levels.  Sarah reported that Area IV is a non-profit agency that serves the eight county areas of Tippecanoe, Benton, Carroll, Clinton, Montgomery, Warren, Fountain, and White counties.   The agencies mission statement states that they are “working together for a better quality of life.”  The agency has many programs that serve lower income individuals, but the agency also wants the public to know that they can serve all income levels.  Some of the programs include cost sharing.  Newest addition to their programs is the Private Pay Care Coordination program, which is the program that Sara Moore manages.  This program serves both the elderly or disabled person fifty-five years of age or older and their families.  Many times the family hires the care coordinator to be there for them when they cannot be there, such as a doctor visit, an appointment with an elder law attorney, or a financial planner.  In other states where this program has become very popular, it is called “Rent a Daughter”. 

Other programs that are no or low cost and have less restrictions are  “Matter of Balance”, “Enhanced Fitness”, and “Chronic Disease Self-Management”, “Wacky Wednesday at the Movies”, “Senior Trips”, “Senior Games”, “Family Caregiver Program”, “Aged and Disabled Resource Center”, SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Programs) Counseling, many Caregiver Support groups, and Home Delivered Meals.