Tippecanoe County House Democrats vote to send public retirees, including teachers, a 13th check

Today, Jan. 22, State Rep. Chris Campbell (D- West Lafayette) and State Rep. Sheila Klinker (D-Lafayette) voted to send public retirees a 13th check this year. After today’s vote, House Bill 1004 has passed the House of Representatives and is heading to the Senate for consideration. 

“This year we were able to work towards providing a 13th check for our retired Hoosiers through House Bill 1004,” Campbell said.  I hope that the bill passes in the Senate to provide our public retirees with some much-needed assistance. Many of our retirees live on fixed incomes, and they need a 13th check to cover the inflating costs of living. Providing a 13th check is a step in the right direction, and I’m thankful that it passed the House. We must continue to provide for publicly retired Hoosiers who are struggling with rising costs of housing, utilities and so much more.” 

Rep. Campbell and Rep. Klinker are members of the House Ways and Means Budget Committee. Both voted in favor of HB 1004 on its first reading in Ways and Means. Today, HB 1004 passed unanimously on the House floor. 

“Public retirees deserve an annual 13th check – especially our teachers,” Klinker said. “They have devoted their lives to service, and they have supported our youth in the classroom. The state legislature must reward those who dedicate their professional lives to helping, growing and providing for others. Many of our public retirees rely on the 13th check to make ends meet. As a former teacher, many of my retired coworkers contacted me following last year's failure to provide a 13th check. It’s something that is desperately needed for our retirees on fixed pensions. Our public retirees deserve a helping hand, and we must show our gratitude for their commitment to the state. I will continue to support legislation that benefits our retired Hoosiers.”