FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 24, 2023 CONTACT: Nicole Hill, 512-317-2232, nhill@texasaft.org Texas legislators have a choice: increase public school funding or bankroll private school vouchers Amendments to two key bills in the last days of session set up key decision for lawmakers AUSTIN, Texas – In the early hours of...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 23, 2023 CONTACT: Nicole Hill, 512-317-2232, nhill@texasaft.org Texas AFT and Every Texan commented Wednesday on the $16 billion fiscal note for CSHB100 and its private school voucher over the next five years. Both organizations published research jointly this spring that indicated the cost of across-the-board raises...
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Education Round Rock President Tammy Conrad speaks Monday at an early-morning press conference on voucher bill SB 8 with Texas AFT and allies. Watch on Facebook Live. There is a little over a week left in the 88th Texas Legislature, and once again, our elected officials are on a path...
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This week, Texas House members took a bold stance against backroom meetings, shady deals, and private school vouchers. With less than 24 hours notice to relevant stakeholders and with no public posting of the bill language, House Public Education Committee Chairman Brad Buckley (R-Killeen) moved to hold a late-night hearing...
Read MoreThe 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...
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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 MoreNext 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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This week, committees of the Texas Legislature considered bills that had dramatic implications for public education, higher education, and retired educators. Public Education: Senate Considers Vouchers & Teacher Working Conditions, House Considers Book Bans, Curriculum Regulation, and School Funding https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJxPaiper5Q Texas AFT President Zeph Capo provides testimony opposing vouchers to...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 22, 2023 CONTACT: Nicole Hill, 512-317-2232, nhill@texasaft.org The Texas Senate cannot have its tax-funded cake and eat it too — not at the expense of 5.5 million Texas public school students. AUSTIN, Texas — One day after a smaller-than-advertised crowd “rallied” support for school privatization legislation...
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Friday, March 17, 2023 Respect Public Schools. Reject School Vouchers. Socorro AFT members wave signs in support of public education and against school vouchers at a rally outside the Texas AFL-CIO on Monday. Photo by Mariana Krueger, CCR Studios. “When I say ‘respect,’ you say ‘us,’” said Zeph Capo, president...
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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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One of our union's perennial priorities is fighting efforts to privatize our public education system, whether through the expansion of charter schools or new voucher schemes. Key Facts: Private School Vouchers Don't be fooled by the euphemism of "school choice." We already have “school choice” in our public schools, through...
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