Texas teachers, GOP leaders clash over plans to cut teacher pay, job protection

AUSTIN — Mirroring other labor vs. government disputes across the nation, Texas teachers and legislative leaders are at loggerheads over the role teachers should play in solving the state’s massive budget deficit.
 Key lawmakers have pushed legislation that would let school districts save money through salary reductions, furloughs and larger classes. Teacher groups have firmly resisted the proposals, viewing them as an attack on the profession and hard-fought teacher benefits.
Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/m8wtYM

School cost-cutting bill runs short of time in Texas House

AUSTIN — Legislation to allow larger classes and teacher furloughs to help school districts save money appeared to run out of time Thursday night as a midnight deadline drew near for initial passage of all House bills this year.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/iMu9IH

Teacher-furlough bill halted in Texas House

Legislation that would allow school districts to boost class sizes, cut employee salaries and furlough teachers was halted in the House on Saturday after a Democratic member raised an objection that the measure had printing errors that violated House rules.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/iw0hhU

House postpones action on class size, teacher furlough bill

House members on Thursday delayed action on a hotly disputed bill that would authorize school districts to increase elementary class sizes, cut salaries and order teacher furloughs to save money. The measure by Rep. Rob Eissler, R-The Woodlands, is aimed at helping districts cope with big funding reductions next year, but teacher groups have dubbed it the "death star" because of its adverse impact on the teaching profession. School districts say they would have to cut as many as 65,000 employees statewide under a House budget approved earlier this month.

Stutz: http://dallasne.ws/ie9YRn