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Austin American-Statesman
Sunday, January 23, 2005
Letters to the Editor
Leave drug benefits alone
Re: Jan. 19 article, "A change in retiree drug benefits?"
State employees were guaranteed medical benefits, including prescription drug coverage, by our employer. We endured below-average salaries, non-existent pay raises, budget cuts, layoffs and skyrocketing insurance premiums for years.
We were told that we would have health insurance benefits when we retired. We were lied to. It is time that the Texas Legislature stop using state employees to balance budget shortfalls. We should receive the same $3,000 raise being sought for Texas teachers, and the Legislature should leave our benefits alone. We earned all of them!
T. C. McKENNA
tmckenna@ix.netcom.com
Cedar Creek
Cuts would hurt the state
I am stunned in disbelief. An upwelling of anger overcame me concerning the state Legislative Budget Board's suggested elimination of the prescription drug benefit for state retirees on Medicare.
If this breach of promise by the state becomes law, I predict devastating financial effects upon the retirees. It would motivate current workers to leave in droves. This will adversely affect many state agencies. It would also hurt recruitment of workers.
Retirees, in spite of low pay for many years, demonstrated their loyalty, commitment and dedication to the state, and they were promised specific retirement benefits. It is shocking that the state is planning to break its promises to these retirees, who are now elderly and on fixed incomes.
BOB LOVE
Round Rock
A typical move by GOP
Failing to understand that state retirees pay taxes and put most of their retirement checks back into local economies, the Republicans are trying to balance the budget on the backs of people who can least afford it. How typical. And how despicable.
JOHN HENGST
Austin