Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying on the Chopping Block
If TCASE is considered to primarily represent political subdivisions and continues to engage in work at the Capitol that requires lobby registration, school districts may no longer be able to pay TCASE for dues and conference registrations, among other things. Additionally, TCASE would have to significantly reduce its advocacy work to ensure that legislation is thoughtful and practical for families, students, and educators, as the organization would no longer be able to employ a lobbyist. In many cases, TCASE advocates for streamlined laws, eliminating unfunded mandates, and reducing costly state micromanagement, which benefit the taxpayer.
Even though TCASE members are individual educators, some may argue that TCASE primarily represents political subdivisions, due to a revenue structure supported through funds from school districts. This question could land implementation of SB 12 in the courts for further interpretation. As for lobbying, the advocacy work that TCASE engages in requires the TCASE Director of Governmental Relations to register as a lobbyist. The threshold for registration is triggered by the compensation an individual receives to lobby and the amount of time they spend doing so, which includes research and preparing materials such as bill summaries.
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Former Fed Officials Oppose Plan to Shift Special Education Oversight
“The oversight, monitoring, and enforcement responsibilities... are unique to the Department of Education and must remain there,” the letter states.
The full letter is available here.
The proposal has not been formalized in legislation, but recent discussions on federal education restructuring and budget cuts have prompted concerns among disability advocates.
“We implore Congress to protect IDEA and preserve its enforcement within the Department of Education,” the authors wrote.
The letter comes amid broader debates about the future of federal education oversight following the Supreme Court’s recent decision weakening federal agency authority.
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Special Ed Leaders Push Feds to Increase School Mental Health Support
According to the 2023–24 Education Department data, the average school psychologist–student ratio is 1 to 1,065—more than double the National Association of School Psychologists’ recommended ratio of 1 to 500. With nearly half of public schools unable to adequately serve all students needing mental health support (a nearly 10‑percentage‑point decline since 2021–22) educators warn schools are falling further behind.
Adding to the concern, congressionally approved funds earmarked for the School‑Based Mental Health Services Grant Program and the Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program (totaling approximately $1 billion authorized under the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act) were frozen in April, prompting lawsuits from multiple states.
Special educators implore Congress to fully release these funds and provide ongoing professional development support to meet the escalating mental health demands in schools.
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States, Districts Sue Over Federal Freeze on K-12 Grant Funds
The frozen funds include allocations for key programs:
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$2.2 billion for Title II-A (professional development)
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$1.4 billion for Title IV-A (student support and enrichment)
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$890 million for Title III-A (English learner instruction)
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$375 million for Title I-C (migrant education)
School leaders say the delay is already disrupting plans for the upcoming school year. According to a survey by AASA, The School Superintendents Association, nearly a third of districts need the funds by Aug. 1 to avoid program cuts or staffing reductions.
Impact on Texas
Texas was set to receive an estimated $661 million from the grant programs. Several districts have already taken steps to address shortfalls caused by the delay.
Austin ISD reported a $9.6 million gap in after-school funding, jeopardizing 109 positions and contributing to a projected $19.7 million deficit for the 2025-26 school year. Dallas ISD expects to lose about $22 million and has frozen most non-campus hiring.
Lufkin ISD reportedly canceled its entire after-school program after learning it would not receive its anticipated federal funds.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Rhode Island, seeks a court order compelling the federal government to release the funds without further delay.