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 More‘Hat in Hand’: Retired Texas teachers forced to beg for pension relief in world’s 9th-largest economy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 25, 2023 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org Retirees expressed gratitude for the Legislature’s current proposals but emphasized they aren’t nearly enough to keep their colleagues fed, housed, and healthy. Texas AFT Secretary-Treasurer Ray McMurrey speaks at a press conference...
Read MoreApril 21, 2023: Where’s the sense of urgency on anything that matters?
Friday, April 21, 2023 Picking winners and losers San Antonio Alliance member Teresa Razo and Northeast Houston AFT member Tammy Reyes meet with a representative from Rep. Greg Bonnen’s office this past Tuesday. This week, the Texas House Public Education Committee took up the very important work of debating whether...
Read MoreState Budget Negotiators Announced by House & Senate Leadership
This past week, Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick announced which legislators will participate in the conference committee on HB 1, the State Budget for the next biennium. These conferees will have the final say on what is included and what is excluded from the budget....
Read MoreRecap: This Week at the Legislature
San Antonio Alliance member Teresa Razo and Northeast Houston AFT member Tammy Reyes meet with a representative from Rep. Greg Bonnen’s office this past Tuesday. Public Education: House Approves Book Ban & Public Education Committee Hears Texas AFT Testimony, Senate Passes School Safety Bill and Targets Separation of Church and...
Read MoreBills to Watch: Texas House to Consider Your Paychecks, School Safety
Important Bills Heading to a House Vote In addition to the committee action next week, a few consequential bills further along in the legislative process will likely be considered on the floor of the House. HB 100 by Rep. Ken King (R-Canadian) is the comprehensive school finance bill. Texas AFT...
Read MoreSan Antonio Alliance Advocacy Wins Largest Pay Raise Package in 25 Years
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 MoreRetired Texas Educators to Rally for Pension Increases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 21, 2023 CONTACT: press@texasaft.org ***MEDIA ADVISORY*** MONDAY, April 24 at the Texas Capitol After two decades without a raise, retirees say they're not ready to settle for the crumbs of Texas' historic state budget. AUSTIN, Texas — Any educator who's retired in Texas since September 2004 is...
Read MoreApril 14, 2023: A Raise Bill is Finally Being Heard
Friday, April 14, 2023 Who exactly is this session for? McAllen AFT members and LUPE volunteers protest outside Gov. Greg Abbott’s voucher stop at Covenant Christian Academy in McAllen. Photo by Clarissa Riojas. Last week, the Texas House passed a budget without any provision for meaningful raises for school employees....
Read MoreHere’s what’s in school finance bill HB 100 — and what’s not.
A central demand of our Respect Agenda is a real raise for all public school employees: a minimum $10,000 for teachers and certified staff and at least 15% for paraprofessionals and support staff. Two bills that featured such raises — HB 1548 and HB 4586 — are gathering dust, waiting...
Read MoreRecap: This Week at the Legislature
The Texas Legislature was in full swing this week. Both the House and the Senate moved forward with legislation that, if passed, would have significant implications for public school educators, higher education employees, and retirees. Public Education: House Committee Hears Voucher Testimony, Senate Votes for Book Bans This week, the...
Read MoreBills to Watch: Vouchers up in House Public Education Committee on Tuesday
The Texas Legislature has another busy week ahead. Several bills will be considered in committee and debated on the floor. House Public Education Committee: Two Hearings in One Week For the first time this session, the House Public Education Committee will convene twice in one week. Both days will include...
Read MoreAFT Members Push Districts to Stand Up for More Funding, Against Vouchers
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.
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