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CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Established in 1947 and safeguarded under Section |
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67, Article XVI, Texas Constitution, the Employees Retirement |
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System of Texas provides retirement benefits for state employees, |
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elected state officials, and members of the judiciary; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1999, the 76th Texas Legislature provided for a |
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supplemental retirement annuity for retired state employees in the |
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form of a 13th check, and the next year ERS announced that it would |
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issue this lump sum check to state employees who were retired on or |
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before August 31, 2000; despite this assurance, retirees are still |
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waiting to receive the promised benefit; and |
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WHEREAS, There are more than 73,000 retirees and survivors of |
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ERS annuitants currently drawing benefits, and a 13th check would |
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provide welcome support for these families and would also be an |
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important boon to their communities during this economic downturn; |
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and |
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WHEREAS, The retired employees of the State of Texas greatly |
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contributed to the state and deserve proper compensation for their |
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dedication and service to the citizens of Texas; it is imperative, |
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therefore, that the legislature show its support for the |
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supplemental annuity by firmly endorsing the issuing of a 13th |
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check to retirees no later than September 2009; now, therefore, be |
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it |
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RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas |
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hereby express its commitment to the state's retired public |
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employees and express its support for a 13th check for annuitants of |
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the Employees Retirement System of Texas. |