While this legislative session made progress on student-centered priorities including universal preschool, resources for special education services, and school funding, CEA is deeply disappointed that critical bills to support and protect educators were blocked without a vote.
One such bill, SB 1371 on Just Cause, would have ended arbitrary and politically motivated teacher terminations and protected educators’ right to speak freely. The bill had overwhelming bipartisan support—with 45 bipartisan co-sponsors and support from at least 95 House members—yet House leadership failed to call it for a vote. In doing so, they turned their backs on the 54,000 public school educators in our state and on the broader labor movement at a time when workers are under attack and protections are needed more than ever.
Thousands of CEA members contacted their legislators, and we will not stop until our educators are treated with the respect and protections they deserve. Despite the setbacks of this legislative session, the strength of our collective voice has never been clearer.
