Bohac Stands Up For Active and Retired Teachers

AUSTIN - As the debate over the General Appropriations Bill waged on the House floor, State Representative Dwayne Bohac broke with the ranks to stand up for both current and retired teachers on two critical amendments to the bill.

The first amendment supported by Bohac would have appropriated over $442 million to the Texas Education Agency to continue to give each public school teacher $1,000 to help pay for their health insurance premiums. The second amendment dealt with securing an additional $114 million dollars to prevent a reduction in funds appropriated to the Teacher Retirement System in order to help retired teachers with their insurance premium costs.

Although both amendments failed on the House floor, Rep. Bohac felt it was the right thing to do. “We must stand up for our retired and active public school teachers. They have given so much to our children and to improving society.”

Amendment No. 279 to House Bill 1, the General Appropriations Bill, was offered by Representative Jose Menendez (D-San Antonio) and failed by a vote of 77-68. Amendment No. 6 to House Bill 7, the supplemental appropriations bill, was offered by Representative Chuck Hopson (D-Jacksonville) and failed by a vote of 81-64, with two members not voting.