Featured News
Action Needed: SBOE to Review TEA’s Bible-Infused New Curriculum
Typically, we would wait to preview the State Board of Education (SBOE) meeting in the Hotline edition closest to the date of the meeting. However, there is a hotly anticipated hearing happening at the board’s next regular meeting, Sept. 10-13, and we need our members engaged and taking action in advance of the meeting. Regular Hotline readers will be familiar...
Read MoreAnti-Voucher Legislators Double Down on Public Education Funding
This Thursday, in response to Gov. Greg Abbott’s calls to defund public education through voucher schemes, members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus (HDC) announced a proposal that would fund Texas schools. Titled the “Fully Fund Our Future Act,” the plan would increase public education funding by $40 billion. Texas...
Read MoreEarly voting starts Monday. Have you made your plan to vote?
Early voting starts Monday, Oct. 23, across Texas for the Nov. 7 election. Next week through Friday, Nov. 3, you have the opportunity to cast your vote for various important measures that will shape the future of your community and state. Statewide Measures Texans everywhere will vote on 14 proposed...
Read MoreA Tale of Two Chambers: Senate Fast-Tracks, House Slow Rolls in First Week of Special Session
In the first week of this 3rd special session, focused largely on private school vouchers pushed by the governor and his billionaire donors, each chamber of the Texas Legislature took drastically different approaches to the governor's call. The Texas House, of which a bipartisan majority has remained adamantly opposed to...
Read MoreWhat’s on your ballot? Texas Voters to Weigh in on 14 Statewide Props
Voters across the state will be voting on 14 proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution on November 7, 2023. These ballot propositions range from providing a cost-of-living adjustment for retired teachers to establishing a state broadband fund for financing broadband expansion in Texas. Texas AFT is taking a position on...
Read MoreSolidarity in Action: Teachers Join UAW Strikes for Better Conditions
The United Auto Workers (UAW) continue to picket across the U.S. to voice their commands. In North Texas, UAW members from Carrollton and Roanoke distribution centers were joined by Texas AFT, Alliance AFT, and Southwest AFT members picketing in Carrollton on Thursday, Oct. 5. The pictures on the left are...
Read MoreBiden Cancels $9 Billion in Student Debt, Pushes for Greater Affordability Efforts
Approval of Loan Forgiveness This past Wednesday, the Biden administration announced that it would cancel $9 billion in student loans for 125,000 borrowers. This was made possible through the Department of Education’s “income-driven repayment (IDR) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), and granting automatic relief for borrowers with total and...
Read MoreMillionaire Donors Fund New Institute Promoting “Panhandle Values” at West Texas A&M
Last week, it was announced that right-wing millionaire mega donors Alex and Cheryl Fairly would be donating $20 million dollars to create the Hill Institute, an on-campus academy dedicated to promoting a specific set of so-called “American values.” A flier advertising the new institute stated, “The mission of The Hill...
Read MoreNew Texas AFT Member Benefit: BMG Money “LoansForAll” Program
Texas AFT is pleased to introduce a new membership benefit for active members and retirees: the BMG Money "LoansForAll" Program. The BMG Money "LoansForAll" program for Texas AFT members allows employees and retirees to borrow responsibly and repay the debt over time, with fixed, affordable installments regardless of credit...
Read MoreOct. 6, 2023: Forced Failures
Friday, October 6, 2023 Illustration by Sierra Wiggers Abbott’s Elementary Some headlines really do say it all: “Support for Houston ISD’s Spanish speakers has dwindled under state-appointed leader, parents say.” “19 SAISD schools slated for closure in draft recommendation.” “Texas teachers are leaving the profession in record numbers. They told...
Read MoreWhat’s on your ballot this November?
It’s that time of the year once again — November election season! Next month, you will have an opportunity to cast your vote on a number of important measures that will shape the future of your community and our state. On Nov. 7, Texans everywhere will vote on 14 proposed...
Read MoreTexas Freedom Network Resource Kit Will Help You Organize Against Chaplain Policy
Texas AFT regularly participates in coalition work with allies related to our legislative priorities; in the past week, we have had the chance to join our coalition partners at the Capitol for successful advocacy days.
Read MorePublic Education on the Line as Legislature Set to Convene for 3rd Special Session
For at least the past four months, we’ve known a special session was coming. We’ve known that the fate of public schools will hang in the balance. We’ve known that the governor will use every dirty trick in the book to intimidate, threaten, and coerce legislators into passing a universal...
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