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Perry nixes revamp of TRS board
Gov. Rick Perry vetoed a bill that would have given more voice to retirees on the board of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
That additional voice for retirees would have meant one less financial professional on the nine-member board, which would have been “an inappropriate adjustment in these uncertain economic times,” Perry said in his veto statement.
“The significance and ramifications of the board’s decisions on the futures of those who steward our children’s education make it imprudent to dilute the board’s financial expertise with House Bill No. 2656,” Perry continued.
The final House Bill 2656 was a much more watered-down version of the measure that easily cleared the House. That version would have stripped Perry of much of his authority to appoint members of the nine-member board.
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By jgreen
June 19, 2009 8:26 PM | Link to this
Just one more indication how much Perry hates teachers & education in general. It’s time for a real change. Boot him!
By anonymouse
June 19, 2009 8:48 PM | Link to this
in fairness and objectivity, a good reporter would have written, “That version would have stripped the governor …”
i’m just sayin’ …
By what?
June 19, 2009 8:48 PM | Link to this
Hates teachers? What are you talking about? Why would you take someone with financial experience off of a board that deals with financial issues?
By Ned
June 19, 2009 9:25 PM | Link to this
“What are you talking about? Why would you take someone with financial experience off of a board that deals with financial issues?” Dear naive one, the financial interests do not give a flip about the public employees’ receiving their due pensions; they want to steer those funds into their cronies’ businesses.
By Dempsey Alexander
June 20, 2009 9:53 AM | Link to this
To Governor Perry: I will have a vetoe ready for you on election day.I am sorry to be so negative but I am tired of soft speaking to politicians such as you.
By BJ
June 20, 2009 4:21 PM | Link to this
WISCONSIN? What does a Wisc. lawyer know about what WE need for the TEXAS TRS? It is time to do TWO (2) things/take action: VOTE out TRICKY RICKY in 2010 ~ and FIRE/ELIMINATE ALL of his Bud-buds/lobbyists/lawyers! WHAT does TRICKY RICKY & his self annointed, ooopps, appointed politicos need anything to do with TRS! POOR GUV. ~ “this version would have stripped him of his authority ~ ~ ~ ” (did everyone who has seen him lately ~ bow). The TAXPAYERS need to run this man out of town on a stick followed by all his appointees. WE, the retirees of public education MUST get a “cost of living” boost OR TRS issue gas/food/housing/living vouchers in order for the retirees to continue to live & not become part of Austin/TEXAS’ continuing down turn in economic bad turns. A “one time” check or a one time 13th check is/was just a slap in the face. How humiliating to have to “bow down & grovel” to ~ until 2010 ~ TRICKY RICKY & still can NOT get him to replace his bud-buds with TRS employees on the Board!! It is NOT tooooo soooon to start campaigning for a Guv. who sympathizes with retirees who forever/never has a “cost of living” increase, while the Guv is out planning how to “invest” OUR monies. Is this really what YOU want? Do NOT take this wrong ~ this means for the people who are in dire need of this money ~ NOT the retirees who make six (6) figures! : )
By jpt51
June 21, 2009 8:11 AM | Link to this
“The significance and ramifications of the board’s decisions on the futures of those who steward our children’s education make it imprudent….” This from the same governor who entrusts teachers to educate almost all of our children.
In plain speak, Perry is saying his powerful crony friends demand they keep control of raiding the TRS fund to the detriment of teachers who gave their careers to helping others. Having retired teachers on the board would result in knocking the lid off a PEC type scandal. We need a new governor.
By sceptical
June 30, 2009 7:15 PM | Link to this
Another retiree would not necessarily instill integrity for the good of the system. The current Chair assisted the former Chair (you know the one that suddenly resigned when it was revealed he was in a lawsuit over unpaid gambling debts) in positioning a Perry staffer, young and unqualified, in the key Deputy position against member and legislative opposition. Another retiree would only be as good as their personal integrity…which has not common with Perry placements.
By S.C.
July 6, 2009 5:46 PM | Link to this
We really don’t know the true ramifications of this veto, but we do know how Governor Perry feels about teachers. I agree with those who feel it is time for the governor to be “booted.” I won’t vote for him either and didn’t the last time!