ERS Board of Trustees Election Deadline - June 14th

If you haven’t done so already, please vote today for Brian Barth for the open seat on the ERS Board of Trustees. The election ends on June 14, so make sure to cast your ballot. TPEA has endorsed Brian, a 30-year employee of the Texas Department of Transportation. It is critical that we elect this outstanding public servant to this important position, especially in light of the challenges we face to build in the actuarial soundness of the Retirement Trust. If you have any questions about Brian or the election, please contact the TPEA office!

One Dallas Adviser Suspended, A Second Ordered to Repay Commissions

Statement by Gary Anderson, Executive Director.

In the wake of the 86th Legislative Session, state employees have every right to be angry and frustrated with the Legislature’s continuing neglect of its own workforce. Out of a $250 billion budget (a 16% increase over the current biennium), lawmakers found over $11 billion, including tapping funds from the Rainy Day Fund, to provide the employees of the state’s independent school districts and state judges substantial salary increases. However, their failure to identify adequate resources to grant a modest and long overdue salary increase for their own state agency employees is both stunning and deplorable. Some legislative leaders have attempted to rationalize their actions, citing consideration was given to some agency personnel on a “targeted basis,” and these raises are welcome. However, to use that rationale as a defense of such disproportionate funding would be laughable if the disparity was not so gross in every sense of the word.

TPEA Endorses Brian Barth for ERS Board of Trustees

TPEA is proud to endorse Brian Barth for election to the ERS Board of Trustees. At its meeting in Austin on April 6, the TPEA Board of Directors voted unanimously in favor of endorsing Brian and assisting his campaign in any way possible.

As a member of the ERS Board of Trustees, Brian will discharge the fiduciary duties of the office with integrity, good sense, and decades of experience in the public sector. He will use his skills as an administrator to unify the agency behind decisions that promote the long-term actuarial health of the ERS Retirement Trust and preserve health care benefits for public employees. Brian has also pledged to support and advocate for a 13^th paycheck for retirees at such time as the Trust can distribute one without harming its actuarial soundness. Brian will bring the kind of leadership public employees need from those to whom we entrust the sound and prudent management of their retirement assets.

Voting begins on Friday, May 10, and ends on Friday, June 14. Please cast your vote for Brian Barth.

TPEA’s 3 for 20 New Member Recruitment Program

Recruit 3 new members, and you’ll earn a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card*!

TPEA invites you to participate in 3 for 20, our 2018-2019 member recruitment program. It’s easy to participate: For every three new members you recruit, you’ll receive a $20 Amazon.com Gift Card.* Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire and can be redeemed toward millions of items at www.amazon.com. PLUS: For every new member you recruit, you’ll receive one entry in monthly drawings for a $100 Amazon.com Gift Card. There’s no limit on the number of Gift Cards/prize entries you can earn. We’ll send out the $20 Amazon.com Gift Cards once a month, and we’ll conduct the monthly drawings on the 1st Monday of each month. To receive credit for the members you recruit, ask each new member to write your name on their paper membership application or to list you in the “Sponsor” field on the online membership application. Download printable applications at www.tpea.org/3for20 , or direct potential members to the TPEA website. Questions? Call (888) FOR-TPEA (367-8732) or email membership@tpea.org.

2019 Election of Directors for the State Board

The board currently consists of 14 Directors who serve at-large. 
The following director positions have terms ending on 8-31-19:

Julia Johnson - Retiree - Austin - Not eligible for a 2^nd term
Rusty Smith - TxDOT - Lubbock - Not eligible for a 2^nd term
Shirley Reynolds - Retiree - Lufkin - Eligible for a 2^nd term           

Important 2019 Election Dates

2019 Scholarship

The Liberty Mutual Insurance/TPEA Scholarship ($500) is awarded based on special skills, scholarship abilities, community service and future employment needs. Members of TPEA, their spouses and their dependents are eligible for the award. The deadline for applications is Friday, May 31st. Get the application here.