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. 6, 2023 Welcome to 2023, and the 88th Texas Legislature Happy new year! For those on their way back to classrooms, buses, and school campuses, we wish you a soft landing and a happy return. In Austin, Texas AFT is gearing up for another return — of the...
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Texas AFT offices will be closed for winter break from Monday, Dec. 19, through Monday, Jan. 2. The next Hotline will hit your inbox Friday, Jan. 6. May your holidays be happy, warm, and restful. ...
Read MoreReminder: Take the 2022 Texas AFT Membership Survey by Dec. 9 Last year, our members’ answers in our annual survey helped us change the narrative in Texas and force state leaders to deal with the real issue for our public schools: respect. This year, we need your input as...
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State Sen. César Blanco writes a strong defense of public education in The Big Bend Sentinel, rightly pointing out that our rural schools cannot afford to lose any further funding to school voucher schemes. Texas May Revoke Largest Teacher Prep Program’s Accreditation After...
Read MoreTexas AFT offices will close for the Thanksgiving holiday on Wednesday, Nov. 23, and there will be no Hotline next week. We hope you and yours have a warm and restful break! Texas AFT Announces Respect Agenda for 88th Legislative Session Up to 70% of Texas teachers say they’re thinking...
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Senate Finance Committee hears testimony on state mental health services Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium (TCMHCC) Presiding Officer Dr. David Lakey testifies in front of the Senate Finance Committee on the state of the consortium. The Senate Finance Committee...
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Education Commissioner Mike Morath takes questions from state senators in a school safety hearing this week. Texas Senate hears testimony on school safety and mental health in the wake of Uvalde This week, the Texas Senate Special Committee to...
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State Board of Education votes down four charter applications—a huge victory over harmful charter expansion SBOE also nixes new teacher certification process On Friday, the State Board of Education rejected four of five applications for new charter schools recommended for...
Read MoreOur survey shows school employees overwhelmingly (77%) do not want to be armed Educators instead support legislation on gun access Our survey of Texas school employees released Wednesday shows that 77% of respondents do not want to be armed...
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Texas AFT President Zeph Capo rallies a call to stop gun violence on the steps of U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s office building. Texas AFT Protest targets Sen. Cruz for being an obstacle to popular gun-safety measures and a proponent of...
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