TEXAS AFT LEGISLATIVE HOTLINE--MONDAY, JULY 6, 2009
(copyright 2009 Texas AFT)
 
* Vice President Forecasts Approval of Texas Application for Education Funding
* Changes in Graduation Requirements Take Effect September 1
* For Texas AFT Members: First Course Free Toward Distance-Learning Master's Degree
* Health-Care Reform Can't Wait: Send a Message
 
Vice President Biden Assures Governor of Okay for Texas Education Funding: The Houston Chronicle reports Gov. Rick Perry has received a direct assurance from Vice President Joe Biden that the Texas application for federal education "stimulus" dollars will be approved. Gov. Perry submitted the application on July 1, amid speculation from some quarters that the U.S. Secretary of Education would look askance at the Texas bid because the state plans to use the federal money in place of, not in addition to, tapping the state's own Rainy Day Fund. Biden reportedly assured Perry that the approval would be forthcoming in the next couple of weeks.
 
Graduation Requirements Change September 1: A change in graduation requirements for future high-school entrants also will be applied to current students under the Texas Education Agency's interpretation of HB 3, which passed in May. As interpreted by Commissioner of Education Robert Scott, the new law taking effect September 1 does not just apply to students starting high school next school year. As a result, next year's seniors under the typical "Recommended" high-school program will be able to graduate with only one credit of physical education, not one and a half, and also without the previously required credit in technology applications or the half-credit in health. However, even though the legislature deleted the requirement of a half-credit in speech for the future, next year's graduates will still be required to earn that half-credit because of a surviving State Board of Education rule.
 
We'll have much more to report soon regarding the many changes in state law under HB 3 and other bills passed in the 81st legislative session. Watch for this coverage both via upcoming hotlines and via other Texas AFT media.
 
Exclusive for Texas AFT Members–Free Course Toward Online Master's: You can earn your master's degree from Lamar University or the University of Texas at Arlington for only $4,950, and for a limited time you can even receive your first course free. That's under a deal Texas AFT has negotiated for its members with these two universities providing online master's programs. Applications submitted by August 15, 2009, will qualify for the "first course free" offer. For more information, visit http://stateu.com/promos/090626aft/default.aspx.

Health-Care Reform Can't Wait–Send Your Message Now: The American Federation of Teachers and Texas AFT are participants in the Health Care for America Now coalition's campaign to win quality, affordable health care for everyone in America. You can take part directly by calling your two U.S. senators and your member of the U.S. House. You can call toll-free on the HCAN line to Congress, 1-877-264-4226.  Ask to speak to a staffer who can address the lawmaker's position on health care, and share a simple message, such as:
 
"I'm calling from Health Care for America Now to make sure that Sen. (or Rep.) _____ knows we need real health-care reform in 2009. Please tell Sen. (or Rep.) _____ to support legislation that provides: 
 
--coverage we can afford;
--comprehensive benefits we can count on;
--choice of a private or public health-care plan;
--equal access to quality care."
 
The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee already is at work on a bill that would meet these needs, and the House leadership is pushing legislation that would get the job done as well. The success or failure of health-care reform could be decided by the end of this month. Take the time to make your voice heard. Don't let them say they never heard from you! (P.S.–You also can still send an e-mail letter on this urgent topic to your two U.S. senators from the AFT Legislative Action Center at http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/HCreform060809.)