A Message from LRTA Executive Director Rodney Watson

We want to thank our members for another productive and engaging year. In 2022, we saw the return of in-person meetings and were able to meet with many of our members at our Spring Meeting in Baton Rouge and at our Fall Meeting in Bossier City. We also made great legislative strides at the state level and successfully advocated for the first cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for eligible retirees since 2016.

As we reflect on the accomplishments we have made, we also look to the future and how we can continue to protect and enhance retirement benefits. Waiting six years for a COLA is less than ideal for retirees and many key lawmakers agree. We anticipate legislation will be filed in the 2023 Regular Legislative Session that will address the direct funding of COLAs that retirees can rely on in the future. The road for this type of legislation is one less traveled; we will have some battles along the way. However, we will get through those battles together as we always have, providing resources and tools to our members to help in the fight for COLA reform. And, we hope that you will continue to join us along the way. There’s strength in our numbers!

For members who renew their dues annually with LRTA (pay by check or online every year), if you have not received it already, please be on the lookout for your renewal packet. You will receive a renewal notice along with your LRTA newsletter and LRTA election ballot, which is printed on a yellow sheet of paper. We hope you will renew your membership in LRTA. IF you prefer to renew your dues online now, click here to complete the renewal form and pay your dues through our secure PayPal account.

Our life members and members who have their dues automatically deducted from their retirement checks should have also received their ballot and newsletter in the mail. Ballots are due to the LRTA office by February 24. Voting can ONLY be done by mail.

Thank you for your continued support of LRTA. We are able to do what we do thanks to the support of our dedicated members!

Regards,
Rodney R. Watson
LRTA Executive Director