“Our public schools are already struggling to survive. Every layoff, every school closure, every student service cut – that's Gov. Abbott's handiwork. It's the failed policy of a Legislature that's left our schools without any funding increase since 2019. What we're seeing is Abbott's Elementary.” 

• Zeph Capo, president of Texas AFT 

🚨 Texas public schools are in crisis. All Texas school districts must pass their budgets by the end of June, and we are seeing district after district forced to make tough decisions — from laying off teachers and staff to cutting student services to closing entire school campuses. 

Why is this happening in a state with the world's eighth-largest economy and a historic budget surplus? Because last year, Gov. Greg Abbott and his allies in the Legislature tanked the only major public school funding bill on the table by tacking on a private school voucher program that would have bled money from our schools in the long run. 

It doesn't have to be this way, and the governor should hear just that from every Texan who supports public education.  

While the Legislature's school funding bill, House Bill 1, didn't pass thanks to Gov. Abbott's voucher scheming, lawmakers did set aside over $4.5 billion for our schools in the budget. The money is in the bank; it just needs to be released to school districts.  

Texas AFT calls on Gov. Abbott to use his authority as governor to disburse this funding, held hostage in his quest for a voucher. If he could call four special sessions to try to pass a voucher program, he can take emergency action to fund our public schools.  

✉️ If you agree, scroll down and send a letter to the governor today!  

You can send our pre-written letter or edit with your own words and personal experiences. Either way, when you click Send Message, your e-letter will be emailed directly to Gov. Abbott's office.