SB26: A Smokescreen For Privatization And Union Busting
The Texas Legislature’s attack on public education (again).
Alright y’all, buckle up. We’ve got a few updates coming your way from the Texas Legislature, and it’s not looking good. Remember when we talked about school funding? Well, it just got worse. Think flashing lights, sirens, full-on crisis mode.
The fight over how (or whether) to fund Texas public education just hit a critical point. If lawmakers don’t move fast, we’ll see mass layoffs, school closures, and a public education system on the brink of collapse.
As we discussed earlier this week, HB2 is the school funding bill. This bill raises the basic allotment, distributes funding equitably, provides funding for increased teacher pay, and provides funding for support staff (librarians, bus drivers, lunch ladies, etc.).
The bill passed the House and was sent to the Senate, where it has been referred to the Senate Committee on Education, but not scheduled for a hearing. We discussed the need to pressure Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and Senate Education Committee Chair Brandon Creighton (R-SD04) to schedule this bill in the committee and move ahead before time runs out in the Legislature.
Creighton has responded.
It’s really bad.
So, basically, in lieu of passing HB2, Creighton is trying to push off SB26 as a “funding bill,” but it is not.
SB26 is an absolute shit bill, which I wrote about back in February.
I did get some pushback after that article, because every Democrat voted for it, and it was being passed off as “teacher raises,” but it is not. Moreover, it is simply not a good bill.
What’s the difference between HB2 (the House bill) and SB26 (the Senate bill)?
First, HB2 addresses the fundamental issue of underfunded public schools by raising the basic allotment and providing increased funding for rural schools, special education, transportation, and school safety. SB26 does not do that.
HB2 distributes funding equitably across all public schools, helping those struggling to meet basic standards. SB26 ties much of its funding to performance-based metrics and teacher incentive allotments, disproportionately benefiting wealthier districts with the resources to perform well.
HB2 provides funding to increase teacher salaries without tying raises solely to performance evaluations. SB26’s focus on the “Teacher Incentive Allotment” favors schools that can implement comprehensive evaluation systems, potentially leaving out many teachers who work in high-need areas or less wealthy districts.
72% of public schools in the state are designated as Title I schools (high percentages of low-income families).
SB26 includes the “Texas Teacher Bill of Rights,” a complete union-busting provision designed to hinder teacher unions in Texas. HB2 does not include that.
HB2 strengthens public schools as a system, directly countering recent moves toward privatization through vouchers. On the other hand, SB26’s structure subtly aligns with privatization tactics by focusing on individual teacher merit rather than system-wide improvements, making it less effective in combating the long-term goal of defunding public education.
HB2 prioritizes immediate financial support to prevent school closures, layoffs, and reduced services. SB26, while boosting some salaries, does not adequately address the school funding crisis. It burdens schools with developing complicated compensation systems rather than ensuring stable, consistent funding.
Under SB26, teachers will only get salary boosts under the “Teacher Incentive Allotment.”
Only 6% of Texas teachers received this bonus last year. Thus, 94% of Texas teachers are without a pay raise. HB2 provides a more across-the-board increase, ensuring that most classroom teachers see a benefit, rather than just those who meet performance criteria.
SB26 relies on the results from tests like the STARR test for teacher bonuses, but HB2 directly ties salary increases to experience rather than inconsistent test scores or performance metrics, providing greater stability for teachers.
SB26 does not provide direct funding increases or salary adjustments for support staff such as librarians, school nurses, cafeteria workers, or bus drivers. HB2 does.
Brandon Creighton has been touting the “Teacher Bill of Rights” under his bill. But make no mistake about it, this is plain and simple union busting. It requires TEA to contract with a third party to provide liability insurance and professional support. Traditionally, teacher unions and professional organizations offer similar services, including legal protection and advocacy.
The “Teacher Bill of Rights” explicitly prohibits the contracted entity from engaging in political activities or advocating on public school issues. Unions often lobby for better wages, working conditions, and educational policies. By cutting off funding for political advocacy, SB26 diminishes union influence and ability to represent teachers’ collective interests.
SB26 shifts the narrative from collective bargaining to individual professional security by offering individual legal protection and resources.
SB26 IS NOT a substitute for HB2, and the fact that Creighton is trying to pass it off as one is a big, big problem.
This is a calculated move by Senate Republicans to undermine public education while giving the illusion of support for teachers. The truth is that SB26’s focus on performance pay, selective raises, and stripping union power is a direct attack on public school infrastructure.
Even if the Legislature passes SB26 and doesn’t pass HB2, the consequences will be devastating.
Teacher pay will be unequal.
Support staff will be left behind.
Texas schools will still face mass layoffs and school closures.
This is the Republicans’ attempt to push our schools toward privatization further.
Call Dan Patrick and Brandon Creighton. They are holding school funding hostage. Let them know you see what they’re doing.
Tell them to schedule a hearing for HB2 now.
🚨🚨 Lt. Governor Dan Patrick: (512) 463-0001
🚨🚨 Senator Brandon Creighton: (512) 463-0104
Call out the lies! Make it known that SB26 is not a school funding bill. It’s a privatization and union-busting effort.
Please spread the word that SB26 is not the funding solution our schools need. It’s a smokescreen for defunding public education.
Update on Republicans’ pro-fossil fuel push.
Yesterday, we spoke about Daniel Alders’ (R-HD06) constitutional amendment to ban carbon taxes, which directly conflicts with the Texas Democratic Party platform, and how eight Democrats voted for it.
The bill came back before the House yesterday, but Alders did not have the 100 votes he needed, so he postponed it until Thursday (tomorrow). Keep on your Democratic representatives, tell them the only way to vote against the party platform is with a “hell no.”
Pro-fossil fuel bills pass all the time in the Texas Legislature, after all, it is Texas, and our government is full of oil-sucking climate deniers. Democrats who believe in our Earth’s future should never be helping them out.
For example, HB3556 passed the House yesterday. This bill essentially bans wind farms along the Gulf. And the debate over it was ridiculous.
In the first part of this video, Cody Vasut (R-HD25) and Erin Zwiener (D-HD45) go toe-to-toe. It was spectacular:
But Republicans tried to push this bill off as a pro-bird bill, knowing these mofos can’t even tell the difference between a whooping crane and a sandhill crane. It’s all a joke to them. But as they say, ignorance is bliss.
While a bunch of Democrats did vote for this bill, an amendment was added that gutted the bill. But if you watch the debate above, ⬆️, you’ll get a good feel for what we’re dealing with regarding Republicans this year.
The Texas Legislature is playing games with our public education system and our environment. It’s time to call them out.
SB26 is not a funding solution; it’s a dangerous move toward privatization and union busting disguised as support for teachers. If the Senate lets HB2 die while pushing SB26, our public schools will suffer while the wealthiest districts and private interests thrive.
Meanwhile, pro-fossil fuel legislation keeps rolling through the House, with some Democrats shamefully lining up to help the GOP dismantle environmental protections. We can’t afford to sit back while Republicans push their anti-education, anti-environment agenda without consequence.
It’s time to raise our voices, demand accountability, and make it clear. We see what they’re doing, and we won’t forget. Hold your representatives accountable, and let’s keep pushing for the future our kids and communities deserve.
Stay loud. Stay informed. And keep fighting back.
June 2: The 89th Legislative Session ends.
June 3: The beginning of the 2026 election season.
Click here to find out what Legislative districts you’re in.
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