HB 1205 providing a 1% COLA and a thirteenth check to Indiana's retired teachers passed the Indiana House of Representatives earlier tonight with a vote of 82 to 1.

Indiana Retired Teachers President, Nancy Tolson, was very pleased that HB 1205 passed the House of Representatives. She said, "There are three reasons we believe this bill should pass. First, the money does not come from the general fund so it is revenue neutral to the state. Second, there is an assumed 1.5% COLA provided in the Indiana statute and the actuarial projections. Third, the cost of living for retired teachers is rising."

Bob Kraft, Chairman of the Legislative Committee of the Indiana Retired Teachers said, "We encourage our members to thank the legislators who voted for HB 1205. The House authors were Rep. Niezgodski, Rep. Koch, Rep. Kersey and Rep. Pelath. We also encourage our members to contact members of the Indiana Senate to express support for HB 1205. The Senate sponsors are Sen. Kenley, Sen. Broden, Sen. Kruse, and Sen. Deig."

Andrew Thomas, Executive Director of the Indiana Retired Teachers, said, "We attended all the House legislative committee hearings in support of HB 1205. We now look forward to working with members of the Indiana Senate in the next month before the legislature adjourns."

The bill passed the House Labor and Employment Committee 9 to 0 on January 12 and passed the House Ways and Means Committee 19 to 0 on January 26. The Indiana General Assembly is in a short session and must adjourn on or before March 14, 2010.

Andy Thomas, Executive Director
Indiana Retired Teachers Association
150 W Market St, Room 610
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Cell: 812-605-0496