| Another excellent meeting of the Pre-1969 Teachers' Association Coordinating Committee was held in St. Paul on Sept. 25. Items, strategies, thoughts, reports, and ideas were shared and include the following: Committee members would like to begin updating our website. The major change we need to incorporate is a new sample letter explaining the amendment to our legislation. We also may post a list of questions and answers developed by Joe O'Neill, as well as a list of reasons showing why it is possible to get equity. Joe & John G. reported that they now have identified 2400 teachers who are potential members of our group. Thanks Joe & John for all the research and communication. Harry D. reported on the last full meeting of the pension commission: No topics related to us, but Harry made our presence known to the chair of the commission. Thanks, Harry for being there. The next pension commission meeting is Oct. 7 and Joe & John G. have kindly offered to attend. Joe O'Neill recommends that we always have a presence at the commission meetings so please think about volunteering to attend one in the future. If you live in the metro area, would you be willing to be on standby to observe and take notes at future commission meetings? If you are, please forward your name and email address to T. O'Donnell. With the help of Sen. Cal Larson, Joe O'Neill and Tom Selwold have met with a person who does research for the Minnesota Senate. The research is aimed at getting data to show the financial condition of retirement plans in other states and how they compare to ours. After examining findings, Joe O., Tom S., and Rick W. will decide if any of the information could prove useful in lobbying for our cause. Thanks to Sen. Larson and Joe O'Neill for all they do on our behalf! Rick W. and Tom S. continue to lobby individual commission members and will stress to them how Senator Larson's amendment offers a very reasonable way to reduce inequities without harming TRA' s funds. Thanks, Rick & Tom for your excellent lobbying efforts. Our lobbyists need to know how the commission and legislature view our position, so anyone who has feedback or information from legislators regarding our cause should forward it to any Coordinating Committee member. The next session of the legislature begins in February 2004. We need to continue developing strategy, lobbying, and maintaining positive relationships with legislators so, be sure to continue your efforts. Watch for a new sample letter on the web site; mention our cause to your legislators when you get a chance; and watch the web site for posting of the amendment to our legislation, then study how it allows a solution that would be reasonable and finally reduce the huge inequities now in effect for TRA members. We do not expect the annual financial report on TRA to be issued until November. When it finally appears, we need to keep in mind the fact that the Basic Fund assets are set by policy of the State Board of Investment as follows: 45% domestic stocks, 24% bonds, 15% international stocks, 15% alternative assets, and 1% unallocated cash. The assets of TRA are well diversified and allow it to be in strong financial condition so that reducing inequities for Pre 69 teachers will not harm TRA or its Basic Fund. |
| Summary of September 25th Coordinating Committee Meeting |
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