The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps the past week’s education news, legislative and election updates, and regulatory developments.

• Tuesday is your LAST chance to vote pro-public education in the primary runoffs
• Uvalde families sue DPS officers over response to 2022 shooting
• Are you planning to attend the ATPE Summit?
• A special message for Memorial Day

PRIMARY RUNOFFS: Tuesday, May 28, is your LAST OPPORTUNITY to vote in the primary runoff election. If you live in a district with a runoff, you are likely well aware because of the volume of mail, texts, and phone calls you are receiving. If you are not sure, visit The Texas Tribune's runoff elections page to see if there is a runoff in your area, then make a plan to VOTE Tuesday. Tightly contested runoffs include Texas House and State Board of Education races, and in many of these races, the runoff winner will face no challenger in November. Remember: At the ballot box, you must be present to win. (ATPE Governmental Relations Director Monty Exter was interviewed by The 74, an education news site that leans pro-voucher, about the impetus behind Gov. Greg Abbott’s significant investment in this election cycle. Politico also took a look at the involvement of out-of-state donors in attempts to remove pro-public education legislators, several of whom are facing primary runoffs.) Many, if not all, of these critical runoffs could be won or lost by whether educators show up at the polls. Either way, legislators will remember the level of educator participation in the primary and primary runoff when they return to Austin in January for the next legislative session.

UVALDE: The families of 17 children killed and two injured in the May 24, 2022, massacre at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde CISD are suing 92 Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers, as well as the school’s then-principal and the district’s then-police chief, for their response to the shooting. The City of Uvalde is paying a $2 million settlement to the families to avoid a lawsuit. The legal action faces an uphill battle due to the qualified immunity protections afforded to government officials, including law enforcement, in Texas. The Texas Tribune has more.

ATPE SUMMIT:Have you checked out the speaker lineup for the 2024 ATPE Summit, July 8–10 at the Sheraton Dallas? The member registration rate for ATPE’s annual conference is only $225 through June 7, and that registration includes the opportunity to earn up to seven hours of continuing professional education (CPE) credit at two keynotes, an advocacy update from ATPE Governmental Relations, the annual House of Delegates (HOD) meeting, and your choice of 21 breakout sessions. Your registration also includes volunteer training and two grab-and-go breakfasts. Learn more and register at atpesummit.org. (Note: If you’re an ATPE member and interested in serving as a voting delegate in the HOD, contact your local unit or region president, as applicable. Only local unit and region presidents may certify delegates. The delegate certification deadline is June 7.)

MEMORIAL DAY:This Memorial Day, ATPE honors and remembers those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. We also know that it’s been an extremely challenging week in many areas of the state due to severe weather. We wish everyone in the #txed community a restful and safe long weekend, whether it is the start of your summer or simply a break before the home stretch.