Last year, an overwhelming majority of Texas voters chose to give retired educators in the state the first cost-of living-adjustment (COLA) to their pensions in decades. This investment has put more money directly into the pockets of retired educators, allowing them to invest their money as they see fit and...
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State legislators began pre-filing bills for the upcoming 89th legislative session early last week. We are excited to share that several bills have already been filed advancing key priorities in Texas AFT’s Educator’s Bill of Rights.
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After decades of advocacy from AFT members and other labor unions of public service employees, is a repeal of the reviled Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) finally at hand?
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On Monday, Nov. 11, the Senate Higher Education Subcommittee held its third interim committee hearing this year on three consequential charges, including two that are expected to have significant implications for both academic freedom and democratic representation.
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In three states, a mix of “red” and “blue,” coalitions of rural and urban voters, and of Republicans and Democrats, came together to forcefully reject sending taxpayer dollars (intended for public schools) to private schools via a voucher program.
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The State Board of Education (SBOE) will hear testimony on Bluebonnet Learning materials and vote on the proposed curriculum this week.
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Voters have spoken; though, 7 million registered voters in Texas sat out this election. As leaders of your union, we are deeply concerned with the direction our state will now take, specifically as it relates to public education, but we respect the will of the people who showed up and...
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Normally, we would wait until the Friday before the meeting to preview the upcoming State Board of Education (SBOE) meeting on Nov. 18-22. But we wanted to alert Hotline readers to some recent news and an opportunity for action.
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On Monday, Nov. 11, the Texas Senate Higher Education Subcommittee will hold a public hearing focusing on the future of faculty senates and so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and certificates in higher education. This hearing comes at a pivotal moment as lawmakers prepare for the 89th legislative session...
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Across the state, dozens of school districts held Voter-Approval Tax Rate Elections (VATREs) this week seeking to generate additional local and state revenue to provide educators and school employees with enhanced raises and help meet other pressing needs such as school safety and security. These VATREs are necessary because state...
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In many ways, any school bond election is a referendum on trust. Do voters trust district leaders to appropriately use taxpayer dollars, numbering into the millions and billions, to improve the learning conditions of their kids?
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In an inspiring move that underscores his dedication to education in Texas, outgoing state Rep. Steve Allison (R-San Antonio) has officially endorsed Laurel Jordan Swift, a Democrat, in her campaign for the Texas House of Representatives. This endorsement is more than just a political gesture; it reflects a shared vision...
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