Standing Strong for a 13th Check: Rick Farias Testifies at the Capitol
On April 23, AFSCME Texas Retirees Board Member Rick Farias stood before lawmakers at the Texas Capitol and delivered heartfelt testimony in support of House Bill 886, which would finally bring some long-overdue relief to ERS retirees through a one-time 13th check.
Rick, who dedicated 31 years of service to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, spoke from personal experience and on behalf of thousands of retired public employees across the state. “Retirees haven’t received any boost since 2001—Rick Perry’s first term as governor—while the cost of living has increased more than 75% in that time,” he told committee members. “The record inflation of the last few years has made it increasingly difficult for retirees like our AFSCME members to afford basics like medicine, groceries, gas, and housing.”
One day later, HB 886, authored by Rep. Cody Vasut (R-Houston), passed out of the House Committee on Pensions, Investments & Financial Services with strong bipartisan support. It would provide ERS retirees with a one-time pension enhancement of up to $2,000 — a meaningful step forward that our union has worked tirelessly to achieve throughout the 89th Legislative Session.
Our message to lawmakers has been consistent and clear: Retired state employees spent their careers making Texas safer, stronger, and healthier. It’s time for the state to honor that commitment, just as it has for retired teachers, by approving this modest but much-needed benefit.
As Rick said in his testimony, “It would cost a small fraction of the available funds in the state surplus, but it would make a meaningful difference for retirees like me who dedicated our careers to serving Texas and Texans.”
We’re proud of Rick’s powerful words and the support this bill has already received. We remain focused and determined as the session enters its final stretch. We won’t rest until a 13th check is included in the state budget and signed into law.
Watch Rick’s full testimony below — and thank you for standing with us in this fight.