The ATPE Governmental Relations team recaps the past week’s education news, legislative and election updates, and regulatory developments. ATPE members: Share your thoughts and ask our lobby team questions in The Rotunda on the ATPE Online Community. 

• Happy Holidays from ATPE!
• ACLU of Texas challenges SB 12 in federal court
• Watch for Teach the Vote candidate profiles in early January
• Gov. Abbott’s property tax promise and the split in the Texas GOP
• Catch up on CPE over winter break with three new CPE courses
• Explore member advocacy tools

HAPPY HOLIDAYS: This is the final Teach the Vote Week in Review for 2025. We will return with the Week in Review Jan. 9, 2026, but rest assured that we will cover any breaking news over the holidays here on Teach the Vote. The ATPE state office will be closed Dec. 22–Jan. 2 and reopen at 8 a.m. Jan. 5. We wish you the happiest of holiday seasons, filled with much-deserved rest and rejuvenation!

SB 12: The ACLU of Texas is challenging Senate Bill 12 in federal court, arguing that the law threatens student groups, cultural heritage programs, and inclusion initiatives that help Texas students feel safe, supported, and represented in their schools. The organization is asking the court to block the law while the case proceeds so students can continue to learn without fear of exclusion or erasure. ATPE will keep you updated as this case moves through the system.

ELECTIONS: ATPE has officially sent 2026 candidate survey invitations to candidates running for select statewide and all legislative and State Board of Education seats. We’re looking forward to hearing directly from the candidates seeking to shape the future of Texas public education. By mid-January, we’ll begin publishing candidate profiles on Teach the Vote so educators and voters can review candidate positions, compare viewpoints, review incumbent voting records, and make informed decisions. Stay tuned for updates.

PROPERTY TAXES: As Texans head into 2026 campaigning and the 2027 legislative session, understanding both the political promise and the fiscal reality of property tax reform will be essential for voters, educators, and community advocates alike. Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has made eliminating property taxes a centerpiece of his 2026 campaign for reelection, promising Texas homeowners that one of their biggest tax burdens could be wiped off the books if voters approve a constitutional change. Then, at a press conference last week, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) unveiled what he called “Operation Double Nickel,” offering both enthusiasm and caution about the path to eliminating property taxes, explicitly warning that fully abolishing property taxes outright, like Abbott is proposing, without careful fiscal planning might require dramatically higher state sales taxes and isn’t realistic. This highlights a key difference within Texas’ Republican leadership. ATPE Lobbyist Heather Sheffield takes a closer look in this blog post.

NEW PD COURSES: ATPE members can use time over the break to catch up on your professional development requirements using the ATPE Professional Learning Portal. We have just added several more courses! “The Classroom Reset” provides a practical, educator-centered course designed to help teachers pause, reflect, and realign classroom practices to improve engagement, behavior, and learning. In the course “I Am a Teacher: The Power We Hold Through Self-Control, Connection & Expectations,” Dr. Laurie Jones Curtis, veteran educator and ATPE member, explores the transformative power of self-control in building a positive classroom culture. Also, The Social Institute shares lessons they learned from more than 1 million student responses in “2025’s Biggest Trends with Students, Tech, and Social Media.” Log in to learning.atpe.org to take these courses and browse many more! (Plus, don’t forget to listen to the latest episode of the recently relaunched ATPE Podcast!)

MEMBER ADVOCACY: Even when the Legislature’s not in session, we urge you to stay informed and engaged. Here are a few advocacy resources to check out: 

• Advocacy Central: Get in touch with your elected officials about the legislation impacting your profession.  
• Judy: Chat with ATPE’s new AI assistant for Texas educators, ready to help you with all things ATPE and all things #txed.   
• ATPE Member Advocate Program (ATPE-MAP): Enroll in ATPE-MAP to earn state-level and local-level advocacy microcredentials, as well as earn continuing professional education (CPE) credit. ATPE-MAP is included in your member benefits, so be sure to check it out today.    
• The Rotunda: Don’t forget, members, that you can interact with your ATPE lobby team throughout the week when you log in to the ATPE Online Community.