88th Legislative Session Priorities

TSTA supports the Texas Department of Public Safety in its efforts to provide public safety to all people in Texas via the DPS Motto – Courtesy, Service and Protection. TSTA supports the following items during this legislative session:

• Pay increase for all DPS Employees to make salaries competitive with large agencies in Texas
• Establishment of a Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) for DPS Employees living or stationed in high cost areas
• Increased Stipend pay for all DPS Commissioned Officers
• Increased Corporal pay for Texas Highway Patrol (THP) commissioned Troopers
• Legislation to make the Law Enforcement and Custodial Officer Supplemental Retirement Fund (LECOSRF) actuarially sound
• Continuation of the 50-hour work week for DPS Commissioned Officers
• Support of the Department of Public Safety’s Legislative Appropriation Requests (LARs)

With over 500 commissioned vacancies and 700 non-commissioned vacancies within DPS, it is imperative that these items be addressed in order that DPS can continue to provide the services expected by all people in Texas.