ATPE News is the official publication of the Association of Texas Professional Educators, the largest educator association in Texas. The magazine addresses the most important issues affecting public education in the state. Learn more at ATPE.org.
Issue link: https://atpe.epubxp.com/i/798777
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE ATPE NEWS 3 T he 85th Legislative Session is well under way, and ATPE is working hard to make sure Texas educators' voices are heard at the State Capitol and beyond. Some of our legislators are also work- ing hard, but unfortunately, they have the opposite goal in mind. They want to silence your voice. One of our biggest priorities for 2017 is defeating a bill that would prevent educators from using payroll deduction to pay associ- ation dues. Why would our legis- lators want to take away this safe and convenient payment option? Because eliminating the easiest way for educators to pay their association dues would reduce our numbers and weaken our voice. It's interesting to note that under this bill, payroll deduction will still be allowed for firefighters, police officers, and EMS workers. Why are they coming after us? Because we oppose vouchers. Because we raise a ruckus about the unfair "A-F" system. Payroll deduction is by far the easiest and safest payment method, and despite what some legislators say, it doesn't cost our districts—or the state—a thing. With payroll deduction, I don't have to worry about identity theft or updating my payment information. And I don't have to think about renewing my ATPE membership at the beginning of the school year, when what I really want to be focused on is getting ready for my students. As I write, the payroll deduction elimination bill is still a threat to Texas educa- tors. Read our advocacy blog at TeachtheVote.org for updates. Yes, ATPE has our backs in the classroom, but it's time for us to speak up for ourselves and protect our rights. Our collective voice is powerful. Stand firm and speak out. Be that squeaky wheel. Contact your legislators NOW. ATPE News The official publication of the Association of Texas Professional Educators State Officers Julleen Bottoms . . . . . . President, Corsicana (12) Carl Garner . . . . . . Vice President, Mesquite (10) Byron Hildebrand . . . Secretary, San Antonio (20) Tonja Gray . . . . . . . . . . . . . Treasurer, Abilene (14) Cory Colby . . . . . . . . . . Past President, Willis (6) Board of Directors Michael Sweet . . . . . . . Pharr-San Juan-Alamo (1) Cesarea Germain . . . . . . . . . . . . Corpus Christi (2) Andy Erdelt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Palacios (3) Eli Rodriguez . . . . . . . . . . . Cypress-Fairbanks (4) Suellen Ener . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Beaumont (5) Charles Lindsey II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Magnolia (6) Janie Leath . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nacogdoches (7) Jimmy Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paris (8) Dale Lovett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Olney (9) Meredith Malloy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ferris (10) Karen Hames . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lewisville (11) Jason Forbis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Midway (12) Jayne Serna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Leander (13) Desirie Ries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hawley (14) Darlene Kelly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ballinger (15) Dawn Riley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bushland (16) Brenda Bryan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hale Center (17) Bridget Loffler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Odessa (18) Rudy Romero . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clint (19) Tina Briones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . San Antonio (20) ATPE Staff Gary G . Godsey . . . . . . . . . . . . Executive Director Alan Bookman . . . . . . Deputy Executive Director Elaine Acker . Mkting Communications Director ATPE News Staff Gary G . Godsey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Executive Editor Elaine Acker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Editor John Kilpper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Art Director Leslie Trahan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Managing Editor Erica Fos . . . . . . . . . . . . . Senior Graphic Designer Jean Schlitzkus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Writer/Editor ATPE News contains legislative advertising contracted for by Gary G . Godsey, Executive Director, Association of Texas Professional Educators, 305 E . Huntland Dr . , Ste . 300, Austin, TX 78752-3792, representing ATPE . ATPE News (ISSN 0279-6260) is published quarterly in fall, winter, spring, and summer . Subscription rates: for members of the associ- ation, $3 . 32 per year (included in membership dues); non-members, $10 per year . Extra copies $1 . 25 each . Published by the Association of Texas Professional Educators, 305 E . Huntland Drive, Suite 300, Austin, TX 78752-3792 . Periodical postage paid at Austin, Texas, and at additional mailing offices . POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ATPE News, 305 E . Huntland Dr . , #300, Austin, TX 78752-3792 . Advertising rates may be obtained by sending a written request to the above address . Opinions expressed in this publication represent the at- titude of the contributor whose name appears with the article and are not necessarily the official policy of ATPE . ATPE reserves the right to refuse advertising contrary to its purpose . Copyright 2017 in USA by the Association of Texas Professional Educators ISSN © ATPE 2013 0279-6260 USPS 578-050 305 E . Huntland Dr . , Ste . 300 Austin, TX 78752-3792 (800) 777-ATPE (2873) atpe . org | atpe@atpe . org Julleen Bottoms ATPE State President Photo by Kate Kuhlmann