a newspaper for retired education...

M R TAE-News

A newspaper for Retired Education Personnel3030 DuPont Circle, Jefferson City, MO 65109 - 1-877-366-mrta (6782)

The Official Publication of the Missouri Retired Teachers Association and Public School Personnel

Volume 6

Number 2

February 2018

MRTA Legislative Day - A HUGE Success! MRTA hosted over 350 attendees at the 2018 Legislative Day event held at the MIssouri State Capitol. Attendees were greeted by Representative Nate Walker - District 3, Representative Patri-cia Pike - District 126, Representative Deb Lavender - District 90, and Herman Morse - District 151.

Attendees came informed and ready to speak to their legislators about pension and educa-tion issues. MRTA has created a list of the bills we find especially important called MRTA Issues of Importance. In 2018, these issues include safeguarding Missouri educator pension systems as well as opposing the expansion of Charter Schools (see page 3 for the MRTA Issues of Importance).

We are so thankful to everyone who attended Legislative Day! THANK YOU! We also want to say THANK YOU to every-one who participated in Capitol Blitz Day! The fight is not over, please continue to watch your emails for our “Calls to Action” and don’t forget THE WORLD IS RUN BY THOSE WHO SHOW UP!

New Issue of ImportanceW.A.R. Legislation

Those of you who attended MRTA Legislative Day or participated in MRTA Capitol Blitz Day will notice there is a new piece of legislation listed on the MRTA Issues of Importance. HB 2335 (Black) will allow Public School Retirement System of Missouri (PSRS) retirees to work as a PEERS employee with no limitation on hours and without stopping their current retirement benefit.

An important note about this bill is the hiring employer will pay the contribution rate for the employee to the PEERS system which will help protect the system. The employee will not contribute to the system.

This legislation as a win-win for retirees and for districts, while also helping to benefit the retirement system.

above: Central MO MRTA Unit members met with Senator Mike Kehoe on Legislative Day. Pictured are (l-r) Marion Starr, Marilyn Starr, Joan Bish, Merilee Thoenen, Linda Orscheln, and Senator Kehoe.

MRTA In Motion . page 2

MRTA Legislative Day 2018

above: Region 6 MRTA members met with Representative Patricia Pike and Representative Jack Bondon.

above: Representative Herman Morse addressed the attendees. Representative Morse is an MRTA member and Unit President of the Stoddard County Unit

above: Standing room only! Mary Reese, Barb Prideaux and Debi Ingram from Region 13 grabbed seats on the stairs.

Over 350 were in attendance at Legislative Day!

The World is Run By Those Who Show Up!

MRTA In Motion .page 3

MRTA, a 501(c)(4) not-for-profit corporation, is a grassroots advocacy association with over 27,000 members. MRTA is independent, nonpartisan, and does not endorse political candidates.

MRTA MISSOURI RETIRED TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

AND PUBLIC SCHOOL PERSONNEL 877-366-MRTA

3030 DUPONT CIRCLE JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65109

WWW.MRTA.ORG

ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE 2018 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

PRIORITY #1 – MRTA opposes SB 747 (Emery R-31). This act provides that statewide elected officials and members of the General Assembly serving for the first time on or after January 1, 2019, shall participate in a 401(k) defined contribution plan instead of the current defined benefit plan (DB). Comment: This does not include educators at this time. It is only one amendment away if this bill is not stopped. DB plans are a proven better use of tax dollars and provide for better retirement security. PRIORITY #2 - MRTA supports full funding of the Foundation Formula and opposes the use of public tax dollars for private schools. The Missouri Constitution mandates adequate funding of K-12 education through HB 2 which requires education funding as the second priority of state expenditures. Comment: Due to several tax cuts enacted by the legislature over the past few years general revenue is expected to be reduced significantly. MRTA asks funding for Public Education be the priority. PRIORITY #3 – MRTA opposes HB 2247 (Roeber R-34) and SB 618 (Eigel R-23). This legislation allows for the expansion of charter schools statewide. Comment: Charter schools take scarce tax revenue from public education. Currently, charter schools are only allowed in Kansas City and St. Louis City.

PRIORITY #4 – MRTA opposes HB 2200 (Rhoads R-154). This bill creates “schools of innovation” which is another term for charter schools. MRTA is very concerned the legislation, as written, changes the Work-After-Retirement (W.A.R.) provisions, which will allow PSRS retirees to work full time for these new schools. According to PSRS/PEERS actuaries, this will increase the fund liability of the PSRS/PEERS systems by up to $187 million. This could jeopardize your pension benefit and COLA. PRIORITY #5 - MRTA opposes HB 2188 (Matthiesen R-70), SB 612 (Koenig R-13), and SB 565 (Emery R-31). These acts establish the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program. Comment: These are voucher schemes which create a new 100% tax credit allowing up to $50 million per year of state revenue to be used for private school tuition and other expenses for students. This will result in up to $50 million less state revenue for public education per year. These bills take scarce tax revenue away from public education. PRIORITY #6 - MRTA opposes HJR 55 (Shumake R-5). This is a proposed Constitutional Amendment that eliminates the prohibition of public funds for the use of any religious or sectarian educational purpose. Comment: This allows for public tax dollars to be used for private schools which will take unlimited tax revenue from public education. PRIORITY #7 – MRTA supports HB 2335 (Black R-7). This legislation is regarding Work-After-Retirement (W.A.R.) requirements and would allow retired PSRS educators to work more than 550 hours as a PEERS employee. This legislation is a win-win for school districts needing to fill positions such as bus drivers and also allows for retirees to obtain extra employment. The school district is required to pay the employer contribution to the PEERS system. PRIORITY #8 – MRTA supports HB 2184 (Bondon R-56) and SB 586 (Curls D-9). These bills modify provisions relating to the Public school retirement system of Kansas City, MO. The legislation sets the contribution rates of the employing school districts. These bills are needed to strengthen the financial health of the system, protecting employee benefits. This legislation will allow for a better opportunity for retirees to be awarded cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). PRIORITY #9 – MRTA opposes SJR 30 (Koenig R-15). This Constitutional Amendment, if approved by voters, phases out the individual income tax and modifies the state sales tax law. The state sales tax shall be imposed on sales and services. This is very bad for retirees very dependent upon services which will be taxed.

MRTA In Motion . page 4

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Eastern Europe $2844* 9.23.18 – 10.7.18 Air from $800

Rose Parade w/San Diego 12.30.18-1.5.19 $2099/Air from $500

Italy 4.20.18 – 4.29.18 $1899/Air from $750Historic Trains of the Old

West withAlbuquerque Balloon Fiesta 10.6.18 – 10.16.18 $3059* Air from $500

Fall Foliage 10.6.18 – 10.14.18 $2489 Air from $250

France from $2359 Germany from $699

Norway 07.08.18 - 07.15.18

MRTA Price=$2039 plus air from $800*

New England/Canada Tour - Cruise 7.31.18-8.11.18


Canada Train 5.28.18–6.9.18 Toronto to Vancouver

MRTA Price = $3749 plus air from $250*

Peru 9.16.18 - 9.22.18


Spain 10.5.18 – 10.14.18

MRTA price=$1999 plus air from $750

Ireland 6.9–6.16.18; 7.21-7.28.18; 8.25-9.1.18


Britain Sampler 6.1.18-6.10.18


Australia, New Zealand 9.25.18 – 10.13.18


Scotland 6.20.18 – 6.27.18


Iceland 7.14.18 – 7.20.18


Greece from $648 7 nights Contact me for current pricing/dates. Cruising specials change often.

Pat Lane [email protected]

*Seating is limited. Prices have Exclusive MRTA Member Discount plus Sale. Air Fare Sale ends March 26, 2018. Tour company may withdraw offer(s) at any time.

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