Protecting Teachers

Hot News from Texas:

The Attorney General stands up to protect teachers issuing an opinion stating school districts may not fund political action committees of teacher unions via payroll deductions.

The conclusion that the Legislature did not impliedly grant districts authority to process payroll deductions for contributions to political committees is consistent with the Legislature’s general aversion to the use of public funds for political purposes. See, e.g., TEx. EDUC. CODE ANN. § 11.169 (Vernon Supp. 2009) (“Notwithstanding any other law, the board of trustees of an independent school district may not use state or local funds or other resources of the district to electioneer for or against any candidate, measure, or political party.”); TEx. GOV’T CODE ANN. §556.004(a) (Vernon 2004) (noting that “[a] state agency may not use any money under its control, including appropriated money, to finance or otherwise support the candidacy of a person for an office in the legislative, executive, or judicial branch of state government or of the government of the United States”).

Click here to view entire Attorney General of Texas opinion.