A.D. Ibarra
-Kickapoo Wellness Center
The Eagle Pass News Gram ran into State Senator Carlos Uresti who gave us his opinion on recent concerns voiced by members of the Maverick County Retired School Personnel of the dwindling funds in the Teacher Retirement System.
"This next legislative session we're going to looking once again very closely at retirement benefits for our teachers and for their pensions as well," said the State Legislator who was in town for the inauguration of the new KTTT Administration Building, Wellness Center and Clinic, "Oftentimes we're in a tough spot where the legislature tries to get us to choose between active duty teachers and retired teachers and we should not do that.
Our retired teachers have served honorably and have taken care of our children for many many years."
Uresti says that it's the least that legislature can do to insure that their benefits and their pensions are stable and sound.
"They also deserve a cost of living increase as well so that they can have a living wage."
We asked him if he was in favor of a larger contribution on the pat of the state to ease the rising costs of health care.
"They are on a fixed income. Many been retired for years. I think it’s unfair to go back and ask retired teachers to contribute a larger portion of what's already a fixed income and a low income. I don't think that it's fair. We need to make sure the pension funs os sound, that's our job as a legislature. We need to move for- ward. There are monies available in the rainy day
fund and elsewhere where we can use that wisely, effectively and efficiently."
Uresti also weighed in on the significance of this event, "It's awesome.
It's my first time seeing it. It's a beautiful facility, I know they've worked hard to put this together with the support of the community. It's an honor just to be here.
We know it will serve the constituents of the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe and the citizens of Maverick County."
