Featured News
SB 13: Deep Dive into New School Library Restrictions
During the 89th legislative session, the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 13, which significantly changes how public school libraries across the state select, review, and manage books and instructional materials. The law, which took effect on Sept. 1, creates new barriers to access and hands greater decision-making power to school boards and external, ostensibly parent-dominated councils. Supporters argue that SB...
Read MoreSBOE Preview: New Year, New Faces
The State Board of Education will convene for its first meeting of 2025 next week in Austin beginning Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 11 a.m. CT. The agenda is less politically charged than the last few meetings, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be closely monitoring certain items.
Read MoreJan. 17, 2025: Your work has dignity. Your work has worth.
Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 Your work has dignity. Your work has worth. Monday, Jan. 20, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a time to reflect on the legacy of one of our finest organizers for social justice and a day of service in our communities. Monday is also...
Read MoreTexas AFT at the Capitol: Recap of Week 1 of the 89th Legislature
On Tuesday, Jan. 14, the 89th Texas Legislature gaveled in, and Texas AFT was proud to represent K-12 and higher education employees the Texas State Capitol in Austin. Local union presidents from across the state came together, along with Texas AFT President Zeph Capo, to receive training and strategize on...
Read MoreTexas AFT Member Survey Results Preview Working Conditions, Funding Fights in Legislative Session
On the eve of the 89th legislative session, Texas AFT released the results of our most recent member survey on Monday. As has been the case for the past three years, an overwhelming majority of our K-12 and higher education members report they have considered leaving the profession and harbor...
Read MoreTexas Student Group Establishes a Student Bill of Rights
On Jan. 7, Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT), a student-led movement demonstrating youth visibility in educational policymaking, delivered a Student Bill of Rights to more than 1,200 Texas policymakers in advance of the 89th Legislature.
Read MoreJan. 10, 2025: Time to buckle up
Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 Time to buckle up. It seems like just yesterday we were living through the fourth special session of the 88th Legislature. And now, the 89th Legislature gavels in next week. Are you ready? This week’s Hotline is filled with the information you need to know going...
Read MorePreview: First Week of the 89th Legislative Session
The opening day of the 89th regular legislative session is Tuesday, Jan. 14, and the stakes are extremely high for public education, educators, and school employees. While most bills will not begin to move until March, opening week is an important time: the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives...
Read MoreYour Guide to Staying Connected During the Legislative Session
Happy New Year! We hope you had a relaxing winter break and are ready to start the semester strong! With the new legislative session beginning on Jan. 14, we’ve got a lot to prepare for as we head into one of the biggest fights yet to stop private school vouchers...
Read MoreBoR Spotlight: Working Conditions and the Right to Fight for Them
Our Texas Needs Teachers report found that working conditions were even more important than compensation in retaining educators by an almost 2-to-1 ratio. Even if all our school finance dreams came true and we could pay all educators and support staff the salaries and wages they so richly deserve, compensation...
Read MoreAt Last. Social Security Fairness Act Is Law, Repealing WEP & GPO.
On Sunday, Jan. 5, surrounded by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and representatives from national unions (including ours), President Joe Biden signed the Social Security Fairness Act into law. This landmark legislation repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset, two pieces of federal law that...
Read MoreDec. 20, 2024: How to make America work for the American working class
Friday, Dec. 20, 2024 How to make America work for the American working class It has been a contentious and difficult year for all of us, and without a doubt for those that work in our K-12 schools, colleges, and universities. Our schools are struggling. Our kids are struggling. We...
Read MoreStatement on Passage of Social Security Fairness Act, Repealing WEP/GPO
Texas AFT President Zeph Capo and Texas AFT Retiree Plus Chair Rita Runnels issued the following statements celebrating the bipartisan passage of the Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82).
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