FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2013
CONTACT: Rob D'Amico
Cell: 512-627-1343
‘Human infrastructure’ should be first priority in state budget
Our kids—not just water and roads—should receive Rainy Day funding in SJR 1
Statement from Linda Bridges, president of the Texas American Federation of Teachers on Senate Joint Resolution 1:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 9, 2013
CONTACT: Rob D'Amico
Cell: 512-627-1343
Educators riled by proposals to cut promised, already-earned benefits
School employees across Texas are riled up over proposed cuts in Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) pensions called for by bills that would raise the minimum age for retirement with full benefits to 62, while also reducing health-care benefits to retirees.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 20, 2013
CONTACT: Rob D'Amico
Cell: 512-627-1343
Senate Bill 1 Vote:
Just the Beginning of the Debate on Public Education Funding
Statement by Linda Bridges, Texas American Federation of Teachers president:
Statement on Senate Bill 1 and it's failure to restore adequate funding for public education.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2012
CONTACT: Rob D'Amico
Cell: 512-627-1343
Vouchers: An old, destructive scheme that needs to be scrapped
Statement from Linda Bridges, Texas AFT president:
In her latest column appearing in the New York Times, AFT president Randi Weingarten writes about the promise—and the possible pitfalls—of the new Common Core State Standards. If implemented properly—namely, by ensuring that frontline educators are prepared to teach these rigorous new standards—we can provide all children with the problem-solving, critical-thinking and teamwork skills they need to compete in today’s changing world. If not, they will end up in the dustbin of abandoned reforms. Read her full column.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 6, 2013
CONTACT: Rob D'Amico
Cell: 512-627-1343
Bill targets teachers and other school employees
for takeaway of already-earned pension benefits
Proposed reduction amounts to a broken promise for teachers already facing low pay, rising health-care costs and modest retirement income
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2013
CONTACT: Rob D'Amico
Cell: 512-627-1343
Defenders of public education to meet via Tele-Town Hall
Thousands expected to join in on call, take action to defend public education against handing neighborhood schools over to private operators and nullifying state quality standards
Background:
Some lawmakers at the state Capitol are pushing an extreme agenda of privatization that includes:
In her latest column appearing in the New York Times, AFT president Randi Weingarten talks about the accomplishments to date of the Affordable Care Act, even in its early stages. And she discusses the vital role that nurses and healthcare workers—the AFT is one of the largest unions of nurses in the country—play in enhancing patient care and improving the healthcare system. Read Weingarten's column.
Statement from Texas AFT President Linda Bridges summing up 2011 legislative session.