Tell Your State Rep What You Think

Tell Your State Rep What You Think, By Phone and By E-Mail! Key House Votes Thursday on School Finance, Class Size, Contract Rights, Layoffs

SB 1, a bill that permanently cuts state funding for local school districts by $4 billion, is scheduled for action on the Texas House floor shortly after 10 am Thursday morning, June 9. Also on the agenda is SB 2, a bill to adjust the two-year budget passed on May 29.


Coming up right behind SB 1 and SB 2 are four House bills that would push districts to make up for their loss of state aid by permanently enlarging class sizes and making it easier to lay teachers off and take away contract rights.

Call your state rep now and say:  Vote no on SB 1. Use SB 2 to tap the Rainy Day Fund. And vote no on HB 18, 19, 20, and 21, because these bills add up to a major attack on students and teachers.

HB 18 guts the class-size limit for grades K-4. HB 19 eliminates the right to an independent, impartial hearing examiner for mid-year terminations if a district declares “financial exigency.” HB 20 deprives teachers of reasonable notice that their term contracts will not be renewed. HB 21 takes away the last shred of seniority protection under state law for experienced teachers in case of layoffs.

The latest word is that SB 1 is far from a done deal. Call your state rep on Texas AFT's toll-free line:  1-888-836-8368.

Not sure who represents you in the Texas House? You can find out quickly at this state Web site:  www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us.