FROM THE CAPITOL
86th Legislative Session convenes in Austin
The 86th Texas Legislature convened this week in Austin, bringing several new faces to the Capitol along with pledges to make school finance a key issue during the 2019 session.

State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, was unanimously elected as the new Speaker of the House during the opening session Jan. 8.

On Jan. 9, he joined Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick for a press conference, where the state's top leaders expressed their unified determination to address the major issues facing this legislature, primarily school finance (including teacher compensation) and property tax reform.

In other action at the Capitol this week:
OTHER NEWS
TCTA member concludes service on SBEC board
Suzanne Garcia McCall , a fourth-grade science teacher and instructional coach in Slaton ISD and longstanding TCTA member, director, and immediate past president, recently concluded seven years of service on the State Board for Educator Certification.

She was first appointed to SBEC in 2011 by then-Gov. Rick Perry as one of four teacher members of the 14-member board. Although her term officially expired in February 2017, she continued to serve as a holdover appointee until Gov. Greg Abbott appointed her replacement this month.

Don't miss The Classroom Teacher winter issue
The winter edition of The Classroom Teacher magazine was mailed to members this week. Check out our legislative preview and find a copy of this year's professional liability insurance policy, which includes a new endorsement to cover private tutoring. The issue also includes information about TCTA's 2019 convention and the candidates seeking statewide office this year.

CALENDAR
  • Jan. 21 is the deadline to register online for TCTA's 2019 Convention. (Hotel rooms must be booked by Jan. 16 to get the discounted rate.)
  • Jan. 21 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
  • The State Board of Education meets Jan. 28-Feb.1 in Austin.
CONTENT PUBLISHED JANUARY 11, 2019 | ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
TEXAS CLASSROOM TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
PO BOX 1489 AUSTIN, TX 78767 | 888-879-8282 | TCTA.ORG