Lance Gooden
Press release
Texas Governor Greg Abbott added retired teacher health insurance, TRS Care, to the special session call after State Rep. Lance Gooden urged the Governor to prioritize the issue.
Gooden filed House Bill 151 last week to address the current crisis in retiree healthcare, and wrote to the governor urging immediate action. He hosted a live interview with the head of the Texas Retired Teachers Association on Tuesday and encouraged their more than 80,000 members to flood the Governor’s office with phone calls and emails.
After insisting the special legislative call would not change from what was initially released last week, Governor Abbott’s office announced the inclusion of TRS Care early Thursday morning.
“This is a massive victory for teachers and retired teachers, who have finally had enough with the lack of respect at their state capitol,” Gooden said upon learning of the proclamation. “I am so proud of retirees and active teachers that I represent, and all of the thousands who have joined me in making this happen. What started as a long-shot effort that I began on the 4th of July has culminated into a very possible solution during this special session.”
“I’m hearing private conversations among my colleagues in both chambers that are unfamiliar to me in all of my three terms in office. There is palpable nervousness among legislators who realize they must step up to the plate for teachers and retirees this session,” Gooden continued.
“I was elected with great effort from teachers and have always considered them one of my largest bases of support. I will never stop making them a top priority and will continue our fight during this special session that finally shows potential to deliver serious wins for Texas.”
The post Abbott adds TRS Care to Special Session appeared first on Henderson County Now.