The Hotline Newsletter

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.

Featured News

July 11, 2025: Who’s on the side of working Texans?

Friday, July 11, 2025 Who’s on the side of working Texans?  Earlier this week — a week of tragedy for so many Texas families — the Texas AFL-CIO officially released its Pro-Worker Scorecard for our state representatives and senators.   This is BIG NEWS. By making this data publicly available, our labor family is giving Texans the information they need...

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Oct. 20, 2023: Power in Solidarity

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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Oct. 13, 2023: It’s not about the kids

Headline from The Texas Tribune and ProPublica that reads, "Texas took over its largest school district, but has let underperforming charter networks expand."

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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Oct. 6, 2023: Forced Failures

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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Sept. 29: Choosing Sides

Friday, September 29, 2023 Texas AFT President Zeph Capo speaks at a Public Education Town Hall in San Antonio last weekend, with Rep. Josey Garcia, Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, Sen. José Menéndez, and Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer. Photo by Eli Melendrez. Which side are you on? In a week in which...

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Sept. 22, 2023: Nothing About Us Without Us

Friday, September 22, 2023 Texas AFT Retiree Plus members at the Texas Tribune Festival on Thursday, engaging in conversations with members of the media, Texas voters, and elected officials like Rep. Vikki Goodwin. Nothing About Us Without Us This week, we’re at the Texas Tribune Festival in downtown Austin. While...

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Sept. 15, 2023: Just Scraping By

Friday, September 15, 2023 If you work in Texas public schools — K-12 or higher education — and are ready to fight for positive change, we hope you’ll consider joining our fight to #ThriveTogether. join.texasaft.org. New school year, worsening problems We asked a simple question on Facebook last week: “In...

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Sept. 8: A Hefty SBOE Recap

Image reads: Eyes on the Board

Friday, September 8, 2023 Source: 2023 Charles Butt Foundation Poll ? Is this thing on? The title of the latest poll from the Charles Butt Foundation says it all: “Listening to the Educator Experience.”  Too few in Texas’ halls of power want to do that.  That’s probably because instead of...

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Sept. 1, 2023: Lawsuit Season

Friday, September 1, 2023 Barbie was the hit of the summer. And so are labor unions, as it turns out. Union Made Just before Labor Day, the U.S. Treasury has released a first-of-its-kind report, outlining all the ways that supporting unionization of American workers will benefit the economy and, specifically,...

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