Lone Star Labor: The Texas House is about to get busy
ONE BIG THING: TEXAS HOUSE COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS ARE HERE
Committee assignments in the Texas House were announced today, which means the legislative process can start moving as bills are referred to relevant committees. For a breakdown of how the legislative process works, take a look at our Legislative Resources page!
What does this all mean for Texas workers?
Some of the key House committees that we’re paying extra attention to are Trade, Workforce, and Economic Development; Delivery of Government Efficiency; Public Education, Higher Education; Appropriations; State Affairs; Intergovernmental Affairs; and Pensions, Insurance, and Financial Services. You can read the full list of House committee assignments here.
We’ll be watching to see what committees our priority bills are referred to, which could happen as early as next week. Once committee hearings get under way, we’ll be reaching out to YOU to testify for or against bills, submit written testimony, and make calls to your representatives.
We’re meeting with representatives every week to make sure state lawmakers deliver for working Texans, and we’ll need your help to make sure lawmakers hear the voices of ALL Texas workers.
Get ready to hit the ground running, y’all!
AS GOES TEXAS LABOR…
Photos from the Texas AFL-CIO DFW Citizenship Clinic
Why Allison, Katy ISD teacher, supports Texas AFT’s Educator Bill of Rights
NEWS TO USE
How Trump’s mass deportations could affect Texas economy – Dallas Business Journal ($)
Now what? How will labor respond to Trump-Musk assault on U.S. workers? – Work-Bites
We’re fighting to become the first Amazon union in the South. Here’s our story – Inequality.org
Ten thousand grocery store workers strike in Colorado – The Guardian
TEXAS LABOR FAMILY NEWS
🏃 Labor on the Move
Rachel Lopez-Pacheco was elected as the first female president for the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 505 in El Paso! Congrats, Rachel!
Edgar Rodriguez, IBEW Local 220 member from DFW, completed the Texas AFL-CIO Citizenship Clinic this weekend. Congrats, Edgar!
✊🏿 Black History Month
This week in our Black History Month series, we’re highlighting the incredible Nancy Hall – longtime leader of Communications Workers of America Local 6215 and VP of the Dallas AFL-CIO. Read the full highlight here and stay tuned for next week’s!
SOLIDARITY CORNER: EVENTS & ACTIONS
Happening Now: Share Your Story with the AFL-CIO
Are you a federal worker affected by Trump’s Executive Orders or Musk’s DOGE? Is your school being targeted by ICE raids? Is your union election on hold while the NLRB hangs in limbo? The national AFL-CIO wants to hear from you! Share your story here so the world can see how the Trump administration’s policies are affecting working people.
Feb. 15 in Houston: African Americans & Labor
Celebrate Black History Month this Saturday at the Houston Sun’s 10th Annual African American History Parade & Symposium! Chaired by CWA President Claude Cummings, this year’s event centers Black Americans’ role in the labor movement. Find more information here.
Feb. 15 in Dallas: “No Cuts!” Rally
Join Young Active Labor Leaders (YALL) DFW and other allies in Dallas this weekend to fight back against Elon Musk’s anti-worker government takeover. Details here.
Now Open: Texas AFL-CIO Career-Building Scholarship
Union members: Are you planning on going back to school to build your career? We can help! Apply for our 2025 Career Building Scholarship to receive a $1,500 grant or share with your networks to get the word out. Applications close May 2nd. Details and application HERE.
📸 Photo of the Week
Teamsters Local 745 is ON STRIKE against Hertz’s facility in Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Solidarity forever! [Photo courtesy of Teamsters]
Did you enjoy this newsletter? Let us know and submit photos, events, and other Texas labor news at labor@texasaflcio.org!