Letter: Adding a 13th Check or Cost-of-Living Adjustment to the Special Session Call

Office of the Governor
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711-2428

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Delivered via electronic mail

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Subj: Adding a 13th Check or Cost-of-Living Adjustment to the Special Session Call

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Dear Governor Abbott:

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On behalf of the Texas State Troopers Association and the many men and women who have proudly served in the Department of Public Safety, I want to begin by thanking you for your steadfast leadership and unwavering support of law enforcement across our great state. Your commitment to law and order on the border, public safety funding, fighting trafficking and crime, and equipping our officers with the tools they need has made Texas a national model.

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As the Legislature enters a special session, we respectfully urge you to add a 13th check or cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for DPS retirees to the call. These are the individuals who spent decades protecting Texans by patrolling highways, responding to disasters, and serving with integrity in every corner of the state. Many now live on fixed incomes that have not kept pace with inflation.

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A 13th check or COLA would provide real, tangible relief for those who dedicated their careers to safeguarding the public. We were excited to see the House overwhelmingly pass Rep. Cody Vasut’s 13th check bill (HB 886) by a vote of 131-9. With your help prioritizing this legislation, we are optimistic that Lt. Gov. Patrick, who has also been an outspoken supporter of law enforcement, will send it to your desk.

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Governor, you have consistently stood with law enforcement. We hope you will continue that legacy by supporting our retired troopers and adding this crucial issue to the special session agenda.

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Thank you again for your strong support of DPS and the broader law enforcement community. We are grateful for your leadership and your continued commitment to keeping Texas safe.

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Sincerely,

Rohnnie Shaw
Executive Director
Texas State Troopers Association