The State Auditor's Office has issued its summary report, "Full-Time Equivalent State Employees for Fiscal Year 2018." The purpose of the report is to provide updated information to the Legislature and public about FTE numbers in state agencies and institutions of higher education, as well as to track historical trends concerning management-to-staff ratios.

The report found that the number of FTEs in state agency employment declined by 3.1% from FY2017 levels. This represents a loss of 4,613.4 FTES, reducing the current total FTE count to 144,905.9. The number of FTEs does not equate to the actual employee headcount, but reflects a ratio that reflects the number of hours that an employee works compared to 40 hours a week (e.g., two employees working 20 hours a week equals one FTE). The report also found that the number of FTEs complied with average management-to-staff ratio mandated by statute (1 manager or supervisor per 11 FTEs).

The report is available here.

Legislative Update: HJR 10

Rep. Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake) has introduced a constitutional amendment establishing the Texas Legacy Fund (TLF) and Texas Legacy Distribution Fund (TDLF) to finance certain infrastructure and long-term obligations of the state, including unfunded liabilities in the ERS Retirement Trust Fund. HJR 10 requires the Comptroller to transfer one-half of any unencumbered balances at the end of a biennium to the TLF (the other half goes to the Economic Stabilization Fund, or "Rainy Day Fund").

Read more.

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

04-29-2019	Nominating Committee must submit its nominations to the board.
06-29-2019	Active Members of the Association shall elect Directors at the Annual Meeting.

Read more about the announcement here.

House and Senate Budgets, Senate Supplemental Appropriations Bills Introduced

The base House and Senate budgets, which were released yesterday, maintain the 9.5% state contribution rate to the ERS Retirement Trust, as well as the additional contribution by general state agencies approved last session. This brings the total state contribution to 10%, the maximum allowable rate under Art. 16, §67, Texas Constitution. Read more

Texas Workforce by the Numbers

2018 Scholarship Recipient

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 2018 recipient is Joseph Luis Micus, who will be studying Medical Engineering at Texas Tech Honors College in Lubbock.