All Meetings Cancelled

GBRTA's officers and Board of Directors have canceled all meetings and activities until fall. Reports of the spread of COVID-19 warn us that conditions for meetings will not be safe until mid-summer. We hope you will join us at our October 8, 2020 meeting.

Similarly, ARTC has announced that all April and May meetings, including their annual meeting on May 19th at the Aquaturf have been cancelled.

At this time the Connecticut legislature has not acted on any of the issues important to retired teachers. It is unlikely that economic conditions will allow the legislature to approve the 50% exemption of our pensions from the State income tax. Similarly there appears to be no movement to change the existing link between our COLA and the interest earned on the pension fund.

A GBRTA member has shared an article from the Yankee Institute regarding the unprecedented drop in the stock market and Connecticut's pension difficulties.

It is attached for your review.

GBRTA will continue to keep you informed about issues important to you. Stay well and safe.

CDC website | CT State Recommendations

President's Letter

Dear Colleagues,

As Mother Nature awakens from her deep slumber, the crocuses push their purple, yellow and white heads through the softening earth. The bright yellow daffodils trumpet the arrival of spring. Tulips will soon show off their brilliant array of colors. I hope you are looking forward to the sun’s warming rays and the ability to venture outside without the burden of bulky winter clothing. Enjoy the glorious spring days while following the recommended “social distance” set by local health authorities.

Normally GBRTA’s budget is presented at the April meeting and voted on at the May meeting. Instead, with the cancellation of the meeting, we have included the budget in this newsletter. Please take a few minutes to review it. If you have questions or concerns, please contact our treasurer, Helen Scinto at 203-375-1921 or hscinto@aol.com.

While Lobby Day was cancelled, our State legislators continue to work on a variety of issues including the approval of tolls, the legalization of marijuana and the elimination of vaccination exemptions for religious reasons. However, our elected officials must also be made aware that retired teachers are very concerned about the funding of our pensions and health insurance, the implementation of the promised 50% tax exclusion on our pensions and the calculation of our cost of living adjustment (COLA). As you are aware, retired teachers do not have a union. We must be our own advocates. I encourage you to write a short note, email or phone your elected officials and make them aware of your retirement concerns.

On a lighter note, I was sent an email by a former colleague regarding the origin or phrases we sometimes use. As rainy April approaches, I thought I would share this little bit of nonboring history. In the 1500’s houses had thatched roofs, thick straw piled high, with no wood underneath. It was the only place for animals to get warm, so all the cats, dogs and other small animals, including mice and bugs, lived in the roof. When it rained the thatch became slippery and sometimes the animals would slip and fall off the roof. Hence the saying, “It’s raining cats and dogs.” Happy Spring!

            Rose Marie D’Aquila