Upcoming TRSL and Social Security Workshops

TRSL & Social Security

This workshop is open to all members and covers the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO) associated with Social Security benefits. A TRSL representative will also address retirement eligibility and how a TRSL benefit is calculated.

Approximate time length: 2 hours (Also available as a 30-minute Member Webinar) located here –https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/8612028556296065539

Register for these dates/locations here – https://www.trsl.org/main/events?cid=7870

 

TRSL & Social Security – Lafayette Parish

April 25 at 4:30 p.m.

Clifton Chenier Center Auditorium (Bldg. C)

220 West Willow Street, Lafayette

REGISTER TODAY

TRSL & Social Security – Lafourche Parish

May 17 at 4:30 p.m.

Central Lafourche HS Library

4820 Highway 1, Raceland

We are ALL IN!

Yes, we do!  Red River United stands up for our schools, students, teachers and staff, and community.

Below are two resolutions created and presented by Red River United, and ultimately adopted by the American Federation of Teachers for the purpose of new legislation.

Resolution 1:

The Healthy Student- Student Recess Time

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, recess is a crucial and necessary component of child development; benefiting children emotionally, socially, physically, and academically.

Resolved: Recess is to be a designated component of the curriculum and be no less than 30 minutes per day.

Resolution 2:

The Healthy Student- Mandatory Minimum of 25 Minutes Seated Lunch Time

Over 50% of students nationwide are either on free or reduced lunch, but there is no mandate designating the amount of time a student is to receive to eat.  Studies show students consume more fruits and vegetables if they are given at least 25 minutes of seated lunch time.

Resolved:  There should be legislative action ensuring all students receive a minimum of 25 minutes of seated lunch time per day.

Let’s REMEMBER How THEY Voted When They Ask for OUR Vote!

Yes
51
No
50

Voted “yes”

R
Vice President Mike Pence
R
Steve Daines Mont.
R
John Thune S.D.
R
Ron Johnson Wis.
R
Richard M. Burr N.C.
R
Jeff Sessions Ala.
R
Roger Wicker Miss.
R
Roy Blunt Mo.
R
Bob Corker Tenn.
R
Michael B. Enzi Wyo.
R
John Barrasso Wyo.
R
Dean Heller Nev.
R
Rob Portman Ohio
R
Bill Cassidy La.
R
John McCain Ariz.
R
Richard C. Shelby Ala.
R
Mike Lee Utah
R
Ted Cruz Tex.
R
Dan Sullivan Alaska
R
Cory Gardner Colo.
R
Rand Paul Ky.
R
Deb Fischer Neb.
R
Lindsey Graham S.C.
R
James M. Inhofe Okla.
R
Jim Risch Idaho
R
James Lankford Okla.
R
Jerry Moran Kan.
R
Patrick J. Toomey Pa.
R
Joni Ernst Iowa
R
Tom Cotton Ark.
R
Michael Rounds S.D.
R
Thad Cochran Miss.
R
Mitch McConnell Ky.
R
Michael D. Crapo Idaho
R
John Hoeven N.D.
R
Pat Roberts Kan.
R
Shelley Moore Capito W.Va.
R
Orrin G. Hatch Utah
R
John Kennedy La.
R
Thom Tillis N.C.
R
Todd Young Ind.
R
Jeff Flake Ariz.
R
Tim Scott S.C.
R
Ben Sasse Neb.
R
Marco Rubio Fla.
R
David Perdue Ga.
R
Johnny Isakson Ga.
R
Charles E. Grassley Iowa
R
John Cornyn Tex.
R
John Boozman Ark.
R
Lamar Alexander Tenn.

Voted “no”

R
Susan Collins Me.
R
Lisa Murkowski Alaska
D
Richard Blumenthal Conn.
D
Heidi Heitkamp N.D.
D
Joe Manchin III W.Va.
D
Robert Menendez N.J.
D
Maria Cantwell Wash.
D
Benjamin L. Cardin Md.
D
Bill Nelson Fla.
D
Gary Peters Mich.
D
Kamala Harris Calif.
D
Dianne Feinstein Calif.
D
Patrick J. Leahy Vt.
D
Mazie K. Hirono Hawaii
D
Claire McCaskill Mo.
D
Ron Wyden Ore.
D
Mark Warner Va.
D
Martin Heinrich N.M.
D
Tim Kaine Va.
D
Maggie Hassan N.H.
D
Cory Booker N.J.
D
Joe Donnelly Ind.
D
Thomas R. Carper Del.
D
Christopher S. Murphy Conn.
D
Jeff Merkley Ore.
D
Chris Van Hollen Md.
D
Michael Bennet Colo.
D
Jon Tester Mont.
D
Tom Udall N.M.
D
Jack Reed R.I.
D
Debbie Stabenow Mich.
D
Amy Klobuchar Minn.
D
Bob Casey Pa.
D
Sherrod Brown Ohio
D
Sheldon Whitehouse R.I.
D
Elizabeth Warren Mass.
D
Jeanne Shaheen N.H.
D
Chuck Schumer N.Y.
D
Brian Schatz

Our Budget is Broken- Tell Lawmakers to Use the State’s Rainy Day Fund!

A smart budget choice:

Tell lawmakers to use the state’s Rainy Day Fund!

Our state is facing a mid-year budget crisis. Revenues are $304 million short of what is needed for a balanced budget. By law, this must be corrected before the 2016-17 fiscal year ends on June 30.

Gov. John Bel Edwards is calling a special session for February 13-22, giving legislators and the public an opportunity to weigh in on the important choices that must be made.

The governor’s plan, released on February 6, does not call for new taxes, but would allow increases to some fees to be determined by the legislature.

He proposes spending $119 million from the state’s $359 million “rainy day fund” to help balance the budget. That is a savings account funded with mineral revenues. It exists to help stabilize the budget during tough financial times – like this one.

The remaining cuts would still be painful, the governor said, but not as bad. His plan would preserve public education, family services and the department of corrections.

Click here to send a letter today!

Valentine’s Day Crafts and Games

Red River United is hosting a Valentine’s Day Crafts and Games Saturday at our office on Line Ave.  

The event will take place on Saturday, February 11th from 10:00-11:30 AM.  It is intended for children grades 1st-5th, and it is open to members and non-members.  Use the link below to reserve your child’s spot today.  

You won’t want to miss out on this LOVELY event!

Click here to reserve your child’s spot

Stress Management in the Classroom Through Essential Oils, Yoga, and Mindfulness

Are you stressed out with all of the demands of the classroom?  If you answered yes, then you won’t want to miss this!  Join us Thursday, November 18th from 4:30-6:00 at Red River United for a stress management session.

We will learn about the benefits of using Young Living Essential Oils for managing stress and overall health as well as participate in a yoga and mindfulness session created just for educators.

Click here to reserve your spot today!

Vote!

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers urges its members to consider these candidates and issues to be decided on November 8.

Candidates and issues supported by the Louisiana Federation of Teachers

SENATE:

LFT recommends former teacher, legislator and Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell Campbell, who taught in Plain Dealing Louisiana, authored legislation to create the Louisiana Educational Excellence Fund using proceeds from a law suit settlement, an endowment that today contains more than $1 billion to finance public K-12 education across Louisiana. Campbell modeled that fund off of one he started in Bossier Parish which now has more than $45 million. He will be public education’s best friend in the U.S. Senate.

U.S. House of Representatives:

In District 2, which covers the City of New Orleans and stretches up the Mississippi River to include part of North Baton Rouge, LFT recommends the incumbent, Representative Cedric Richmond, a Democrat. Congressman Richmond has been a steady and reliable friend of public education through 11 years in the Louisiana Legislature and since his first election to Congress in 2010. As a member of the Homeland Security committee, he is an important voice for coastal Louisiana through oversight of the Federal Emergency Management Authority.

In District 3, which encompasses Southwest Louisiana from Lake Charles through Lafayette, LFT recommends former State Representative Brett Geymann, a Republican. As a State Representative, Brett Geymann was a strong voice for parents who felt left out of the education reforms that swept our state over the past eight years. His support for local control of our schools was important for educators, parents and taxpayers. His views on responsible budgeting were in sharp contrast with the smoke and mirror budgets of the Jindal administration.

In District 4, which covers Northwest Louisiana and the western part of Central Louisiana, LFT recommends Democrat Marshall Jones, a Shreveport attorney, businessman, oil and gas operator, farmer and volunteer. Marshall Jones has deep roots in his community. He’s ready to make a difference in Washington. His history of working to improve the lives of the people of Northwest Louisiana proves that. Marshall Jones fought for the rights of special needs students in Caddo Parish, and he’s worked alongside teachers, health care workers, farmers, veterans and family -owned businesses.

Constitutional Amendment #3:

LFT recommends support for Constitutional Amendment #3, an important part of the state legislature’s effort to fix the budget. The amendment would change Louisiana’s constitution to eliminate the deductibility of federal income taxes paid in computing a corporation’s Louisiana’s corporate income tax.

The amendment is part of a larger agreement that will level our corporate tax structure. It will give the business community the flat tax rate they want, and eliminate a tax loophole that has been costing the state hundreds of millions of dollars.

The flattened tax rate would increase state general fund revenues by about $30 million a year, according to projections from legislative fiscal office. Eliminating the deductibility of federal income taxes would add another $190 million in Fiscal Year 2017-18 and $200 million in FY 2018-19.

Early Voting

October 25- November 1

Monday-Saturday from 8:30 AM- 6:00 PM

Please bring a photo ID.

Caddo

Registrar of Voters

525 Marshall, Suite 103

Shreveport, LA 71101

Bossier

Bossier Parish Courthouse

204 Burt Blvd., 2nd floor

Benton, LA 71006

Red River 

Red River Parish Courthouse

615 E. Carroll St., Room 104

Coushatta, LA 71019

Walk-In for Public Education

Red River United, Keithville Elementary/Middle, South Highlands Elementary Magnet, and Fair Park College Prep participated in The Alliance to Reclaim Our Schools’ Walk-In for Public Education. We had a blast showing our support for public education in Caddo Parish where the promise of public education is given to every student! Check out our video  to see what a walk-in is all about!

General Membership Meeting

General Membership Meeting

Tuesday, October 25th

4:30-5:30

Red River United Office

1726 Line Ave.

Shreveport, LA 71101

Phone: 318-424-4579

Email: redriverunited@redriverunited.org