SERVICE WORKERS

The American Federation of Teachers has taken legal action against the Department of Education. The lawsuit claims that the Department has halted access to income-driven repayment plans for student loans. This move goes against Congress's clear instructions for the Department to provide these plans.

The U. S. Senate recently passed a bill to raise Social Security payments for many retired public service workers. This includes teachers, firefighters, police officers, and other state and local employees. The bill will end long-standing cuts to their benefits, but it may add $195 billion to federa