Thursday, August 29, 2013

Houston Chronicle Publishes TEXPERS Op-Ed on the Differences between Detroit and Houston

As a service to its membership and the taxpayers of Texas, TEXPERS tries to stay on top of the debates about pensions that occur in its different members’ cities.

Today, we had an article published in the Houston Chronicle in response to one columnist’s assertions that Houston is moving on the path to bankruptcy just as Detroit did recently.

We thought the assertion to be a bit much and had to take it on, which you can read here.

The lesson here is that respected columnists and newspaper folks sometimes just can’t resist the temptation to have knee-jerk reactions to what is occurring in other parts of the country and then to apply it to pensions here in Texas. It’s a dangerous game as it skews and misleads people’s view and opinion on pensions. We’ll continue to set the record straight on these matters whenever we can. – Max Patterson

Monday, August 26, 2013

TEXPERS Informational Video Now on YouTube

The Texas Association of Public Employees Retirement Systems is moving into its 25th year and as such we thought it would be good to provide everyone with a visual overview of who we are and what we do.



Truly, the really remarkable story in the video is the dedication of our members and their staff. Our annual conference and summer forum are no picnics. They require time and attention from attendees. Listening to presentations on alphas, betas and deltas in the investing context is not easy. Neither is completion of our Certified Trustee Training program, for which many give up their weekend to complete. When you see in this video people intently listening to lectures and visiting with their legislators, please know they are taking time away from their real jobs to serve their pension system and, by extension, the taxpayers in their cities and towns, by ensuring the sound operation of a local pension system.


Please take a look. – Max Patterson


Monday, August 12, 2013

TEXPERS Wraps Another Successful Summer Forum

We at TEXPERS are just now getting our feet back under us after the Summer Educational Forum in San Antonio last week. What a great time was had by all! We had 422 registered attendees to the conference, which is about what we’ve been having nearly every summer now.

To get an idea of what they were learning, here’s a thumbnail sketch of the first two days of workshops and presentations:
Get ready for our 25th Annual Conference next year at the Renaissance Worthington hotel in Fort Worth, March 23-26. More information will be made available here as we develop the conference. – Max Patterson