The ATPE Governmental Relations team is busy traveling across the state to visit with our members!

ATPE’s lobbyists are on the road this fall sharing legislative updates and previews of the 2018 elections. We’d love to see you at an ATPE region meeting, such as those happening this weekend in Regions 12 and 14. We’ve already visited with ATPE members in Regions 13, 19, and 20 this past week, and we’re looking forward to seeing more of you in the weeks and months to come.

The 2018 primary elections are just around the corner and educators are getting fired up! As we have reported extensively here on Teach the Vote, there was a clear and direct assault on our public education system during the 2017 legislative session and the special session that followed. ATPE fought hard against bills to slash local control, take away educators’ rights, and drain money from our public schools by sending it to unregulated private schools. But there were also valiant efforts by some legislators to stand up for our public schools, students, and educators. Regional visits by our ATPE Governmental Relations staff are a great opportunity for you to chat with your ATPE lobbyists and hear more about these legislative battles of the recent past and future, as well as what’s at stake during the upcoming 2018 elections.

Below are some of the meetings we’ll be attending this weekend. We’ve also been invited to speak at Regions 4, 9, and 16 next month, so check with your local unit president or visit the ATPE region’s website for more information about those events. We’re excited and looking forward to seeing you there!

Region 12 ATPE Meeting:

• Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, Waco, TX
• Region 12 website

Region 14 ATPE Meeting:

• Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, Abilene, TX
• Region 14 website

Coalition of Reading and English Supervisors of Texas (CREST) 2017 Fall Conference:

• The Coalition of Reading and English Supervisors of Texas is holding a conference on September 24-25, 2017, at the Hilton Austin Airport. ATPE Governmental Relations Director Jennifer Canaday and Lobbyist Mark Wiggins will be providing CREST members with a legislative update on September 25. We have ATPE members who are also part of this great organization, so we look forward to seeing them and other educators there. Find more information about the CREST conference here.

ATPE Lobbyist Monty Exter joined Region 13 ATPE members and guests at their meeting in Driftwood, Texas.

ATPE Lobbyist Mark Wiggins visited Region 19 ATPE members in El Paso.