Dear MRTA Members:
"NO NEWS IS GOOD NEWS!" Although the State Legislature has been in Session for two weeks, as of this morning, no bills have been introduced regarding educator retirement. Be assured, we watch all day, every day, for legislation of concern to your pension checks.
"A MIDNIGHT PROPOSAL?" We do not believe there will be a stand-alone piece of legislation regarding a "STATE INVESTMENT BOARD/COMPANY" from Senator Crowell this year. Folks at the PSRS/PEERS think like MRTA does--that it will be proposed as an amendment and attached to another bill. MAYBE AT MIDNIGHT! Or, possibly attached and linked to public school funding of which reforms are being discussed.
"TRICKLE-DOWN?" Most of us have heard of this theory. What is the trickle-down effect of another $500 to $800 million dollar cut to the state budget? Will 15 to 20 percent be cut from public school funding as is currently being discussed? How will state and school budgets be balanced if this happens? Where will the cuts be? Where will they find savings? Retirement benefits? State Investment Board/Company? Healthcare reductions for educators? Teacher Tenure? Vouchers? More Charter Schools? School choice? ETC? The Governor's State of the State address will be this coming Tuesday, January 17th.
PLEASE "STAY TUNED." Do not be lulled into a sense of everything is "Okay." Now is the time to make sure you have the name and contact information of your State Representative and your State Senator. This should be stuck to your refrigerator door. If you have not done this yet, go to the MRTA website at WWW.MRTA.ORG and type your zip code into the "WRITE YOUR LEGISLATOR" button then enter your home address. It will give you the contact information for all of your elected officials. Also, the House website is WWW.HOUSE.MO.GOV. The Senate is WWW.SENATE.MO.GOV.
Again, please "STAY TUNED" and stay warm and well. The world is run by those who show up!
P.S. You will receive the "Legislative" issue of the MRTA Newsletter in the next few days. Those of you who have not renewed your membership for 2012 have recently received a renewal notice in your mailbox. Please support our efforts and renew your MRTA membership. There is strength in numbers!
THANK YOU for being counted as a member of MRTA.
MRTA works to protect your retirement benefits and to enhance the quality of life for ALL Missouri education retirees - both present and future.
Sincerely yours,
Jim Kreider
MRTA Executive Director
mrtadirectorkreider@mrta.org
1-877-366-6782