In a perfect world there would be no black history, no women's history... it would just be history. But the sad truth is that history is always written by the winners and in the case of western civilization that meant blacks and women as well as other minorities were omitted, distorted or maligned. Because February is Black History Month we are celebrating our black brothers and sisters with a series that features some familiar names and some not so well known.

Colleagues,

The NTU and our community and legal partners continue to rack up major legal victories against the State in their battle to devalue educators and destroy public education:

1) The NJ Supreme Court has denied the state’s latest petition to freeze education funding and to grant the Commissioner of Education authority to override teachers contracts. Summarily, the bogus lawsuit claiming tenure and Newark teachers are an impediment to student learning has been dismissed and declared moot.

The AFT-Maryland was in Annapolis Monday, January 30th for the 2017 Lobby Night. Members from across the entire federation addressed state elected officials on everything including budget items, education, and legislation dealing with state workers. Many of the Delegates and state Senators welcomed the AFT-Maryland and took time to discuss the issues that concerned our membership.

Bow, NH

January 27, 2017 

Yesterday was a warm, almost Spring-like day, always welcome in January.  The gold of the State House dome shone brightly in the sunshine, and I even took the time to sit for a short while on a bench on the State House grounds.  Inside, however, the legislative session is just beginning to warm up, with a short session of the House to deal with a few legislative items, following an intensive week of public hearings on proposed bills, as committees work hard to push legislation to the floor for debates and votes.

Governor announces MFP freeze for 2017-18

UPDATE: At a January 27 meeting of the legislature’s Joint Committee on the Budget, Gov. John Bel Edwards pledged that there will be no cuts to this year's Minimum Foundation Program, family services or department of corrections in a special session slated to run from February 13-23.

AFT-NH has called for a day of action for members across the state to wear RED for Public Ed(ucation) on Tuesday, January 31st. Two important nominations will be considered on this day. Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education will be voted on by committee in Washington. Here in NH, there will be a public hearing on the nomination of Frank Edleblut for Commissioner of Education. NH students, parents and teachers deserve candidates who support public education and are qualified for these positions. Please wear red and take the actions suggested in the attached flyer.

Legislative Reception in Annapolis:  DATE: Monday, 2/6/17, Bus will be leaving AFT at 5:30pm