Greetings PTA leader,

“Now is the time…” Texas Representative Gina Hinojosa urged the Emerging Leaders Academy (ELA) Class of 2024 to talk to legislators at home, and remind them of their communities’ values around public schools.

When asked what she would say to those who support taking public funds out of public schools to subsidize private education, Hinojosa said, “The majority of families will never be able to afford private education, even with subsidies. So, shouldn’t we ensure that the majority of children in the state get a world-class education?”

We agree! So, as the pace turns from a relaxed summer to back-to-school season, we urge you to make appointments with your legislators in their district office. Take your children. Let them see all the beautiful faces of our future. Share real-life stories. Most importantly, ask them to commit to these things.

If talking to legislators is new or feels a little scary, don’t worry, we have resources for you. Not sure how to find your representative's home office? Check here.

Sincerely,

ELA is Texas PTA’s signature eight-month leadership development program. It focuses on key pillars of PTA success: advocacy, parent education, family engagement, and outreach. This program is designed to cultivate a new generation of dedicated leaders committed to supporting student success. Applications for the next Emerging Leaders Academy are open now through August 9.

Public schools are facing significant challenges. Despite close to a $40 billion state surplus, the lack of adequate state funding has forced Texas public schools to close campuses, cut staff, and eliminate programs.

Texas PTA wants to hear how this funding shortfall has impacted your family. What worries you? Have programs been cut? Has your campus had to eliminate counselors or nurses? Have class sizes increased? In a few sentences, please share your story with us.r Local and Council PTA leaders. 

During the 'interim' year between legislative sessions, the Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House typically assign ‘charges,' or issues, for committees to study before the next regular session. The Senate and House committees conduct hearings to gather information and discuss the charges. Texas PTA monitors and participates in these hearings to ensure our voices are heard in the interim.

The House Public Education Committee posted an interim hearing to:

Consider issues and matters to increase educational opportunities in Texas to ensure that students and families have increased options to attend a high-quality school, regardless of circumstance. Evaluate the use of education savings accounts in other states and make recommendations for a Texas program, including suggestions on eligibility and prioritization of applicants.

This means another legislative hearing on vouchers before the session has even begun. Texas PTA will be at the Capitol on August 12 to testify against diverting taxpayer dollars away from public schools and into private schools.

Engage in the process and make your voice heard by sending your comments electronically to the committee at comments.house.texas.gov.  Watch the hearing live at house.texas.gov/video-audio.  

Additional education-related charges for the Senate and the House are listed below.

Primary runoff elections were held on May 28 in four House districts where the incumbents voted against vouchers.

Governor Abbott reported spending $10M of campaign funds to defeat Republicans who opposed vouchers. As a result, fourteen of the original 21 Republican legislators who opposed vouchers in the fourth special session will not return for the 2025 legislative session.

Here's the math:

21 Republicans voted against vouchers
 -5 decided not to run again
 -6 defeated in March primary
 -3 defeated in May runoff

=7

Of the seven, three are unopposed and four will face an opponent in November. 

This highlights the changing landscape of support for vouchers within our legislative body. As the November elections approach, staying informed about the issues and the candidates is important. 

Forced into a runoff, current Speaker of the House, Dade Phelan, won re-election in Southeast Texas by 366 votes.  Other House members are now eyeing the coveted office.

The first challenger to enter the fray, Representative Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, announced in March that he is running for Speaker. His goals are to prioritize "school choice" and to eliminate naming members of the minority party as committee chairs. Representative Shelby Slawson, R-Stephenville, announced her candidacy and other House members’ names have been floated as potential candidates.

Expect to see a spirited speaker's race in the coming months. This is an important office, as the Speaker names committee members that will advance or defeat important public education legislation. The Speaker will be elected in January 2025 by the House's 150 members.

Glenn Hegar, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, is responsible for enforcing House Bill 4758, the "Protecting Children from Electronic Cigarette Advertising Act," that took effect January 1, 2024.

By criminalizing the sale of electronic cigarette products with packaging explicitly designed to appeal to minors, the Texas Legislature gave the Comptroller's office a powerful new tool to protect Texas children.

The Comptroller adopted a rule implementing this law. 

Breaking the law is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail, a fine of up to $2,000, or both. Retailers may also face civil penalties of as much as $3,000 and repeat offenders risk the suspension or revocation of their tax permits.

Five years ago, Texas banned the sale of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to people younger than 21. Federal law has the same age restriction. However, more than 2.1 million high school and middle school students who participated in the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey said they used e-cigarette products.

The Comptroller stated  Texas is strictly enforcing the law to ensure e-cigarette packaging doesn't target children.

PTA leaders embody advocacy in diverse ways, reflecting their unique personalities - from assertive to cooperative, compassionate to strategic. Yet, they share a core trait: a commitment to act on behalf of the welfare of children. 

This month, our "Advocacy Starts at Home" feature continues to highlight the impactful efforts of PTA leaders statewide, showcasing their invaluable contributions to our communities. Reflect on the advocacy work you are doing in your community and submit your Advocacy Starts at Home story. Your story could inspire someone else to make a difference.

Rachael Abell
Texas PTA VP Advocacy

Advocacy partnerships are essential for maximizing our impact. We amplify our voices by leveraging each other's expertise, resources, and networks. The Frisco ISD Legislative Leadership Committee (LLC) is a prime example of advocacy partnerships leveraging relationships and resources to support the education of our children. 

The Frisco ISD LLC is composed of 120 members representing ten diverse stakeholder groups in the community, including teachers, principals, PTA leaders, students, community members, and business leaders. This Committee works to develop legislative priorities for adoption by the Board of Trustees, learns about the state legislature and how legislation is passed, receives updates regarding pending legislation during the legislative session, hears from our elected officials, and provides feedback throughout the legislative session. The LLC meets roughly every two months throughout a two-year term. 

In Year 1, the LLC Spends time meeting as a full committee and as subcommittees. Within those subcommittees, members meet with Subject Matter Experts and create subcommittee recommendations to the entire LLC Group. This year the subcommittees are: Assessment & Accountability, Online Learning, School Finance, Special Programs, and Whole Child. 
As the LLC heads into Year 2, the LLC will vote as a full committee on the recommended priorities that they would like to present to the Board of Trustees for adoption for the upcoming 89th legislative session.  Through the LLC, legislative policy recommendations are made that reflect the values and beliefs of the community which in turn amplify the voices of the Frisco ISD stakeholders.  

I'd like to recognize and congratulate Cyndi Arakas from the Frisco ISD Council of PTAs and Megan DeWolfe from the Frisco ISD Government Affairs department for their dedication to the Frisco community and working collaboratively to prioritize what's best for our children. 

Texas PTA launched a video campaign to celebrate our Texas public schools. A huge shoutout to the dozens of PTA leaders who recorded their heartfelt messages at LAUNCH and lit up social media with #TYTXPubEd.

As we gear up for the new school year, we want the entire PTA community to join the excitement! Grab your phone, hit record, and tell the world why you love your public school. Every message makes a difference!

Don't miss out – search #TYTXPubEd on social media to see the fantastic support from our PTA family and record. Let's show everyone just how powerful our love for public education is!

ShopPTA.com has light blue Texas PTA 'PTA VOTES' t-shirts online!

Order and wear yours as you volunteer, advocate, and work to make every child's potential a reality.

Save the date for Rally Day at the Capitol:

Monday, February 24, 2025.

As we gear up for the 89th Legislative Session, watch for emails with information about our Legislative Priorities Listening Sessions and Rally Day Planning Webinars to Local and Council PTA leaders. #TXPTARally25

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On August 1, 2024, your PTA's Local Dues will remain the same, but PTAs will need to collect an extra $.50 for each new member of the 2024-2025 term to cover the increase for the Texas PTA State Dues. For more information: Navigate to the State Dues Change.