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Retiree Issues in the Spotlight 

We continue to await news of the final outcome of the bipartisan effort in Congress to pass the Social Security Fairness Act and finally repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) to ensure that public employees – including educators, firefighters, and VA nurses – receive the Social Security benefits they are due.

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Highs, Lows for Public Education in House Budget Fight, Senate Votes

Yesterday was a busy and often chaotic day at the Legislature. The Texas House spent the day debating and, ultimately, approving its budget for the next two years with a vote of 136-10.  The Texas Senate, meanwhile, debated and voted on Senate Bill 8, its primary voucher bill, and Senate...

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Bills to Watch: Vouchers up in House Public Education Committee on Tuesday

Next Tuesday, several voucher bills will be considered by the House Public Education Committee. Texas AFT is categorically opposed to all efforts to divert public education funding away from public schools. Texas AFT encourages all community members who are able to testify or register against the voucher bills on Tuesday...

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Arsonist Vows to Fight Fire It Started in Austin ISD

Education Austin President Ken Zarifis speaks to the press about the Texas Education Agency’s plan, flanked by union members.  Just weeks after the Texas Education Agency announced its plans to remove the democratically elected school board of Houston ISD, it has now signaled its intentions to place Austin ISD under...

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March 31, 2023: It Happened Again.

Memorial for students and teachers killed in Uvalde, with flowers piled in front of photos.

Friday, March 31, 2023 The Legislature Sends Its Thoughts & Prayers. A memorial for the children and teachers killed by a shooter at Robb Elementary It happened again Monday. At this point, you likely don’t need an explanation of “it.”    On Monday, a shooter armed with two assault-style rifles...

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Proposed House Budget Does Not Include Teacher, School Employee Raises  

Texas A-F-T logo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  April 3, 2023  CONTACT:  press@texasaft.org As the House plans to debate the budget Thursday, educators’ union president asks, “What should we expect next — an actual slap in the face?” AUSTIN, Texas — At a time that the state of Texas has an unprecedented $188.2 billion in...

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Recap: This Week at the Legislature

This week, committees of the Texas Legislature considered bills that had dramatic implications for public education, higher education, and retired educators.  Public Education: House Committees Consider Charter School Expansion & LGBTQIA+ Pride Bans, Senate Committee Debates Instructional Materials & Book Bans This past week the Texas House considered two bills...

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Next Week in the Legislature: Bills to Watch

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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March 24, 2023: Voucher Marathon Week in the Lege

Friday, March 24, 2023 Expectations vs. Reality This week in Texas education news has been a real study in the difference between expectations and cold hard reality — and not just at the Capitol.    In Houston, the Texas Education Agency hosted its first community meetings after its announced takeover...

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What’s in the Teacher Vacancy Task Force Report? Training and Support

This is the final of three deep dives we will take into the final report from the Texas Education Agency’s Teacher Vacancy Task Force. The recommendations from the report fell into three broad categories:  CompensationWorking Conditions Training & Support We took a brief pause after covering topics related to compensation...

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