| Summary of July 17th Coordinating Committee Meeting |
| The Coordinating Committee met July 17 at the Downtowner Woodfire Grill in St. Paul. We had input and discussion via the phone from Larry Jacobson. Joe & John Gindele continue their extensive researching, identifying, and contacting of new members. Their database is growing rapidly! Thanks to them we have more members than ever and an extensive network of members all across the state. Legislators are now receiving more communication from their constituents regarding our issue. According to TRA, there are 4208 educators who could be part of our group so we still have many more potential members. If you are willing to help them with research, contact Joe & John at: [email protected]. They will show you how to identify new members. All Pre 69ers are grateful for their excellent efforts and results! Six Coordinating Committee members, including our lobbyists, Tom S. & Rick W., attended the July 14 Pension Commission meeting. A summary of actuarial valuations was presented and it was indicated that TRA is in better financial condition now than it was ten years ago. Special thanks to all who were at the meeting; their presence on our behalf is very important in our lobbying effort. Tom S. and Rick W. continue to meet with and build positive relationships with members of the pension commission. Thanks to Tom & Rick, along with the expertise of Joe O'Neill, our message is getting directly to the legislators who will decide on our legislation in the next session. Joe O'Neill reported that our efforts are excellent and the number of personal contacts we have with legislators is definitely helping! Both Joe O'Neill and Larry Jacobson reminded us that we have a great opportunity to build our relationship with our legislators by contributing to their campaign funds. We can do this at no cost to us since any contributions up to $50 per person are refunded. When you contribute to a legislator, make a note in the memo section of your check: "Pre-1969 Teacher." If you make contributions to any legislators, email the names of those legislators to Joe O'Neill with a short note saying you have contributed to them. Joe O'Neill's email is: [email protected] The continuing problem of legislators wanting to know how our legislation would be funded was addressed. When discussing this, refer to the "list of seven" which was distributed after the Bloomington Armory meeting. If you do not have this list, contact T. O'Donnell: [email protected] Also, a point to make is that TRA has about $16 billion in assets and the cost of our solution would be only slightly over 1% of that. That 1% amount would be spread over the lifetimes of the retirees and therefore only a tiny fraction of TRA funds would be used per year. Many members have noticed that in the summer edition of the TRA newsletter, Carol Ackerson, President of the Board of Trustees, reported that "TRA reached 100 percent funding 23 years ahead of schedule. At the end of fiscal year 2002, TRA was 105.31 percent funded - a very comforting feeling." If your legislator has a question you cannot answer, contact one of the Coordinating Committee members and we will get you the information you need. Diane K. and Joe O'Neill reported that we will research the financial conditions of teacher retirement programs in neighboring states. Joe feels this comparison would help us lobby. The next scheduled meeting for the Coordinating Committee is Thursday, September 25 in St. Paul. NOTES & REMINDERS FOR ALL MEMBERS: 1. Now, before the next session, is a great time to continue your positive relationship with your legislator. Watch for a chance to see your legislator in person. Many of them schedule open meetings or attend local festivals & celebrations. Remind them that you are still waiting for a solution to the pre-1969 TRA inequity and they can help by supporting Sen. Cal Larson and Rep. Michael Beard. 2. Has your email address changed? If it has, please notify the member of the Coordinating Committee you normally hear from. 3. Are you getting regular communication from a member of the Coordinating Committee? If not, please contact one of them. 4. Do you know of anyone who taught before 1969 who might be a possible member of our group? Please forward their name and any address or phone number you know to one of the Coordinating Committee members. |
 |