Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gina Hinojosa joined the American Federation of Teachers on Sunday at the union's North Side hall in San Antonio. She made a final appeal to educators ahead of Election Day. Former Mayor Ron Nirenberg, now a candidate for Bexar County judge, and U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro also attended. Union members planned to canvass neighborhoods for Hinojosa's campaign.
Members also supported Proposition A, which would bring $45 million to Northside ISD for daily operations and staff salaries. The measure would raise the district's maintenance and operations tax rate by 3 cents. NISD officials estimate that for a home with an average taxable value of $215,210, the increase would cost the owner about $5.98 a year. Northside AFT President Melina Espiritu-Asocar said she expects voters to pass the measure.
Union officials said public school funding in Texas has suffered under Gov. Greg Abbott's school voucher program, which allocated $1 billion in state funds for private school tuition. Observers estimate the program will cost public school districts $300 million this year. Texas Comptroller Don Huffines has asked to expand the program's budget to $2 billion.