Dear John,
During the opening days of this special legislative session, I again introduced legislation to provide Texas teachers with paid parental leave. This is one of several simple and honest reforms I filed during the regular session to support our schools, teachers, and students.
Consider that during the regular session, we passed legislation to provide paid parental leave to state employees. Imagine how that must feel if you’re a teacher: not valued, not respected, left out.
It’s true that school districts could, in theory, provide paid parental leave to educators. But the practical reality is they can’t afford it. It’s not a choice the state should force upon the school districts. The state should fund all districts that choose to provide paid leave to good people who want to be good teachers and good parents. We should care for our teachers as professionals – and as people.
The Legislature failed to make this simple commitment last session. We have the opportunity to correct that failure in this special session.
Paid parental leave for teachers is good for public education and consistent with Texas values. It promotes the health and strength of parents, children and families, and encourages quality people to enter and remain in the noble profession of teaching in our public schools. The results will be positive for everyone involved in our public education process.
To learn more about the bill, click here. I will keep you updated about progress, or the lack of it. After all, a school voucher plan is on the legislative call; respect for teachers isn’t.
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Senator Nathan Johnson
Texas State Senate, District 16
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