ARLINGTON, Texas — Retired Arlington principal Jeanne Paull-Turner wants voters to know a vote for Proposition 9 is also a vote for retired teachers. She has talked to thousands of people to help them understand the impact their vote could have on the legislation.
Paull-Turner has also learned that many voters had no idea how hard life is for some retired educators in Texas and how a number of fellow retirees is hurting financially.
"I didn't realize just now many people were suffering in education," she said.
Many teachers like Paull-Turner got into education knowing it didn't come with a fat paycheck. But the rewards from her students are priceless. Even after being retired, she gets visits from students she taught over the years.
"They surprise me," she said. "They'll come to the door, you know, and I'll go, 'oh, my gosh, you used to be that tall.'"
All summer, Paull-Turner has talked to voters about teachers having a hard time paying their bills because the cost of living has gone up so much. In Texas, retired educators do not receive social security benefits. But, if Proposition 9 passes, it will allow Texas lawmakers to help struggling retired teachers, which is something many educators have talked to Paull-Turner about across the Lone Star State.
According to Ballotpedia, the amendment has received endorsements from Texas AFL-CIO, Raise Your Hand Texas, Texas Association of School Administrators, Texas Association of School Boards, Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association and Texas Retired Teachers Association.
"I'm talking medication, and medications are exorbitant when you see the gas prices, the cost of food," said Paull-Turner.
The biggest challenge is the ballot language about Proposition 9 voters must read and understand. It will allow Texas lawmakers to provide cost-of-living adjustments or other benefit enhancements with a one-time transfer of $1.9 billion to the retirement system from the General Fund.
Right now, there is no one on record at the state House against Proposition 9.
Paull-Turner said she believes she knows why there's been really no one challenging Proposition 9: "It won't cost anybody anything. There are no new taxes. And that's the first thing that people want to know."
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7.