Every week, Texas AFT compiles important news, updates, and information on public education policy in Texas. The Hotline covers a wide range of topics, including statewide education news, updates from the legislative session, and our current union campaigns.
Friday, April 19, 2024 This past Tuesday, April 16, the U.S. House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security held a meeting to discuss the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO), two provisions that heavily penalize many Texas educators and public employees. AFT members from across the country were there, meeting with legislators and observing the proceedings....
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Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 Back to Basics Texas has the ninth-largest economy in the world and a $32.7 billion budget surplus, but our schools are starved for resources. How did this happen? What can we do to fix it? Can it be fixed? Educating Texas: The Levers of Power Tuesday,...
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Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 With the drop in temps, we hope you stay safe this weekend. If you’re looking for ways to bundle up, now would be a great time to pick up a new hoodie from store.texasaft.org. Every purchase is a donation to our union’s Committee on Political Education...
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Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 What a Year We are wrapping things up for 2023. Texas AFT offices will be closed from Thursday, Dec. 21 through Friday, Jan. 5. After one regular legislative session, four special sessions, and an election, we are all ready for a long winter’s nap. This will...
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Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 You tracked your working conditions. Here’s what we learned. This fall, over 600 K-12 and higher education employees participated in Texas AFT’s Strive to Thrive working conditions project. It was the largest statewide effort of public school employees in Texas to document the real issues in...
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Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 Teaching the truth On Monday, Nov. 27, Texas State University officially dedicated the Shirley R. Harris Student Lounge, honoring a civil rights trailblazer and 40-year San Antonio educator. Shirley Harris was the first Black graduate from the university (then known as Southwest Texas State College), earning...
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Friday, Nov. 17, 2023 Houston ISD parents, educators, and community members speak to the press at the Texas Capitol after their testimony at the State Board of Education. Is this parental empowerment? Vouchers are dead in Texas. Again. (More on that in a second.) While their proponents claim vouchers are...
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Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023 Voucher bill HB 1 died with the third special session of the Legislature this week. It was reborn — and made even more expensive — with the fourth. Illustration by Sierra Wiggers. On voters & vouchers On the same day Gov. Greg Abbott called a fourth...
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Friday, November 3, 2023 [VIDEO] Texas AFT Retiree Plus members like Phyllis Ruffin, Rita Runnels, and Lydia Carrillo-Valdez launched their fight for a TRS COLA in 2018. Hear from them on why Prop 9 is a much-needed beginning for retirement justice. They’re counting on you With only a few days...
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Friday, October 27, 2023 Have you voted? Early voting continues 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...
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Friday, October 20, 2023 Shoulder to Shoulder There is a reason so many people in power want you to believe unionizing in Texas is illegal. (It’s not.) There is a reason they want you to think there are no unions for teachers and school staff. (There are. We are one.)...
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Friday, October 13, 2023 It’s not about the kids. Spoiler alert: The fight to privatize education isn’t about doing what’s best for kids. It never has been. It’s about turning a profit for wealthy investors and fueling Gov. Abbott’s national political ambitions. An incredible piece from The Texas Tribune and...
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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...
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