TCTA members attending the 2019 Convention visited with lawmakers at the Capitol on Thursday to discuss key issues in the current session, including teacher pay and school funding. TCTA's lobby effort to "Elevate Education" comes in a week when State Rep. Roland Gutierrez filed a bill initiated by TCTA that ensures the state will offer educators a health insurance plan with better benefits and significantly increased state funding.

TCTA's lobby team was once again named the top teacher lobby group by Capitol Inside, and delegates will vote on TCTA's legislative priorities during today's Representative Assembly meeting. (Look for more information on that next week).

Meanwhile, the House Appropriations Committee was briefed on the school safety and school funding measures in the proposed budget, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick outlined his views on a proposed $5,000 pay raise for teachers in an opinion piece published in the Dallas Morning News. On Thursday, Gov. Greg Abbott, Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen announced agreement on a plan for property tax relief.

Next week, several committee meetings are set, including the House Public Education Committee, which will begin hearings focused on school finance.