The Alliance’s state affiliates, Texas AFT and TSTA blocked an attempt during the legislative session to eliminate the $500 state-mandated health-care supplement for support personnel. Since 2001, the $500 healthcare supplement has helped make health insurance more affordable for support personnel.
Senate Bill 22, the school-finance bill by Sen. Shapiro would have eliminated the health-care supplement. Sen. Royce West (Democrat of Dallas) voiced concerns about the proposal and Sen. Shapiro then agreed to work on a restoration of the salary supplement.