Viri Pettersen
@mspetter.bsky.social
Kamala’s Capt, fmr NYSUT Asst to Pres, fmr Director, AFT NE; NYSUT member; Retired Educator & RVCTA Union President; Long Islander; Focused on families, friends, public education, unions, politics; Coffee-drinker!☕️ 🚫DMs
https://linktr.ee/mspetter
https://linktr.ee/mspetter
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
Tell your lawmakers to stop the #HealthcareHeist and restore ACA tax credits today ⤵️
actionnetwork.org/letters/affo...
actionnetwork.org/letters/affo...
Add your name: Extend the ACA tax credits!
AFT healthcare professionals are already seeing the impacts of cuts to healthcare from the Big Ugly Bill. Now, with the Affordable Care Act subsidies set to expire, millions of Americans will face los...
actionnetwork.org
January 8, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Tell your lawmakers to stop the #HealthcareHeist and restore ACA tax credits today ⤵️
actionnetwork.org/letters/affo...
actionnetwork.org/letters/affo...
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
If Congress fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, millions of working families will be forced to pay more for the care they need - many will even lose their coverage.
RN Catharyne Henderson explains why these credits are the difference between life & death. #HealthcareHeist
RN Catharyne Henderson explains why these credits are the difference between life & death. #HealthcareHeist
AFT Nurse to Congress: "This is a Matter of Life and Death."
YouTube video by AFT
www.youtube.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:13 PM
If Congress fails to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, millions of working families will be forced to pay more for the care they need - many will even lose their coverage.
RN Catharyne Henderson explains why these credits are the difference between life & death. #HealthcareHeist
RN Catharyne Henderson explains why these credits are the difference between life & death. #HealthcareHeist
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
Bluesky community! This is my official NYC mayor account. I’ll be posting updates on what’s happening at City Hall and how we’re delivering for New Yorkers. It’s great to be here.
January 8, 2026 at 1:37 PM
Bluesky community! This is my official NYC mayor account. I’ll be posting updates on what’s happening at City Hall and how we’re delivering for New Yorkers. It’s great to be here.
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
AFT and @texasaft.org are suing to defend educators punished over posts about Charlie Kirk’s killing.
“What happened... wasn’t about violence or denouncing violence, it was about muzzling the expression of constitutionally protected nonviolent speech.”
www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...
“What happened... wasn’t about violence or denouncing violence, it was about muzzling the expression of constitutionally protected nonviolent speech.”
www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...
Texas investigations into Charlie Kirk posts spark free-speech lawsuit
The Texas branch of the American Federation of Teachers said the state trampled teachers' free speech rights.
www.usatoday.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:23 PM
AFT and @texasaft.org are suing to defend educators punished over posts about Charlie Kirk’s killing.
“What happened... wasn’t about violence or denouncing violence, it was about muzzling the expression of constitutionally protected nonviolent speech.”
www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...
“What happened... wasn’t about violence or denouncing violence, it was about muzzling the expression of constitutionally protected nonviolent speech.”
www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
This is a reckless, heinous act of violence against an American citizen. The officer must be held accountable. DHS must stop lying about the horror that was caught on video. ICE must leave our communities immediately.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Minneapolis driver shot and killed by ICE officer during immigration-related operation, DHS says
The Department of Homeland Security said it was a "vehicle ramming related" incident.
www.nbcnews.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:57 PM
This is a reckless, heinous act of violence against an American citizen. The officer must be held accountable. DHS must stop lying about the horror that was caught on video. ICE must leave our communities immediately.
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
📢 Free speech is free speech. Educators across Texas have been retaliated against for constitutionally protected speech that had no bearing on job performance and no impact on their classrooms.
Read more about our lawsuit against TEA in the New York Times article below 👇
Read more about our lawsuit against TEA in the New York Times article below 👇
Texas Is Sued Over Investigations Into Teachers’ Speech After Charlie Kirk’s Death
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:17 PM
📢 Free speech is free speech. Educators across Texas have been retaliated against for constitutionally protected speech that had no bearing on job performance and no impact on their classrooms.
Read more about our lawsuit against TEA in the New York Times article below 👇
Read more about our lawsuit against TEA in the New York Times article below 👇
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
Educators devote themselves to meeting the needs of kids. They need support & clarity, not shaming, star chambers & state-run snitch lines. Sadly, TX officials decided to exploit Mr. Kirk’s heinous murder & fire teachers for their non classroom speech. @texasaft.org www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/u...
Texas Is Sued Over Investigations Into Teachers’ Speech After Charlie Kirk’s Death
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Educators devote themselves to meeting the needs of kids. They need support & clarity, not shaming, star chambers & state-run snitch lines. Sadly, TX officials decided to exploit Mr. Kirk’s heinous murder & fire teachers for their non classroom speech. @texasaft.org www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/u...
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
You don’t lose your right to express yourself the day you become a teacher.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/u...
Texas Is Sued Over Investigations Into Teachers’ Speech After Charlie Kirk’s Death
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:41 PM
You don’t lose your right to express yourself the day you become a teacher.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/06/u...
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting — which helped fund NPR, PBS and many local radio and TV stations — is officially shutting down, months after Congress passed spending cuts that stripped it of more than $1 billion in funding. www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
Corporation for Public Broadcasting is officially shutting down months after GOP funding cuts
The CPB's board of directors voted to dissolve the private, nonprofit corporation after 58 years of service.
www.nbcnews.com
January 6, 2026 at 1:31 AM
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting — which helped fund NPR, PBS and many local radio and TV stations — is officially shutting down, months after Congress passed spending cuts that stripped it of more than $1 billion in funding. www.nbcnews.com/politics/tru...
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
@rweingarten.bsky.social’s new column expresses gratitude for the helpers in our communities—those who fight for a better life for all.
"You, the helpers, give me immense hope that together we can reclaim that promise of America and build a better future for everyone."
www.aft.org/column/grati...
"You, the helpers, give me immense hope that together we can reclaim that promise of America and build a better future for everyone."
www.aft.org/column/grati...
December 21, 2025 at 5:37 PM
@rweingarten.bsky.social’s new column expresses gratitude for the helpers in our communities—those who fight for a better life for all.
"You, the helpers, give me immense hope that together we can reclaim that promise of America and build a better future for everyone."
www.aft.org/column/grati...
"You, the helpers, give me immense hope that together we can reclaim that promise of America and build a better future for everyone."
www.aft.org/column/grati...
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
To our educators, healthcare professionals and public employees: You faced down incredible challenges this year with grace and grit. Thank you for fighting for our schools, our hospitals, our communities and our future.
Wishing you a season filled with peace, love and solidarity. 🎁🕯️
Wishing you a season filled with peace, love and solidarity. 🎁🕯️
December 19, 2025 at 4:43 PM
To our educators, healthcare professionals and public employees: You faced down incredible challenges this year with grace and grit. Thank you for fighting for our schools, our hospitals, our communities and our future.
Wishing you a season filled with peace, love and solidarity. 🎁🕯️
Wishing you a season filled with peace, love and solidarity. 🎁🕯️
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
LISTEN 🎙️ On a new episode of Union Talk, @rweingarten.bsky.social highlights the impact of relevant & engaging public education by discussing the success rural New Lexington, OH, schools have seen from investing in hands-on learning, career exploration and student well-being ⤵️
www.aft.org/uniontalk
www.aft.org/uniontalk
Union Talk Podcast
Take a trip to a rural corner of southeast Ohio, where New Lexington schools are unlocking real opportunity for students and offering a blueprint for relevant and engaging public schools that meet the...
www.aft.org
December 18, 2025 at 7:44 PM
LISTEN 🎙️ On a new episode of Union Talk, @rweingarten.bsky.social highlights the impact of relevant & engaging public education by discussing the success rural New Lexington, OH, schools have seen from investing in hands-on learning, career exploration and student well-being ⤵️
www.aft.org/uniontalk
www.aft.org/uniontalk
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
In her Weekly Report, @rweingarten.bsky.social discusses recent gun violence & families feeling the economic pinch.
But she shares a message of hope—when we organize, we rise. AFT welcomed 1000s of new members in 2025, & we're fighting to bend the arc toward justice.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YLA...
But she shares a message of hope—when we organize, we rise. AFT welcomed 1000s of new members in 2025, & we're fighting to bend the arc toward justice.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YLA...
Ending 2025 with Gratitude and Grit ✨
YouTube video by AFT
www.youtube.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:18 PM
In her Weekly Report, @rweingarten.bsky.social discusses recent gun violence & families feeling the economic pinch.
But she shares a message of hope—when we organize, we rise. AFT welcomed 1000s of new members in 2025, & we're fighting to bend the arc toward justice.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YLA...
But she shares a message of hope—when we organize, we rise. AFT welcomed 1000s of new members in 2025, & we're fighting to bend the arc toward justice.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YLA...
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
Huge news… Discharge petition for extension of ACA tax credits for 3 years now has 218 votes.
Speaker Johnson-bring this to the floor as soon as possible
Speaker Johnson-bring this to the floor as soon as possible
Urgent update.
Our bipartisan petition to force a vote on a straightforward extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits now has 218 signatures.
Mike Johnson should bring the bill to the floor immediately.
Our bipartisan petition to force a vote on a straightforward extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits now has 218 signatures.
Mike Johnson should bring the bill to the floor immediately.
December 17, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Huge news… Discharge petition for extension of ACA tax credits for 3 years now has 218 votes.
Speaker Johnson-bring this to the floor as soon as possible
Speaker Johnson-bring this to the floor as soon as possible
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
Yesterday on Capitol Hill, @rweingarten.bsky.social warned of the consequences of abandoning the federal government's role in expanding access to education, criticizing new programs that funnel public dollars into school vouchers rather than IDEA & Title I.
www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-s...
www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-s...
US Senate Democrats warn of fallout from Trump Education Department transfers
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Democrats on Tuesday blasted ongoing efforts from President Donald Trump’s administration to dismantle the Department of Education, including plans to shift several of its res...
www.newsfromthestates.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Yesterday on Capitol Hill, @rweingarten.bsky.social warned of the consequences of abandoning the federal government's role in expanding access to education, criticizing new programs that funnel public dollars into school vouchers rather than IDEA & Title I.
www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-s...
www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-s...
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
WATCH: Adjunct faculty typically aren’t offered employer-sponsored health insurance, leaving many to rely on the Affordable Care Act for coverage. With subsidies set to end, professor Thomas Moomjy & others may face sharply higher premiums - or be forced to go without.
December 13, 2025 at 6:38 PM
WATCH: Adjunct faculty typically aren’t offered employer-sponsored health insurance, leaving many to rely on the Affordable Care Act for coverage. With subsidies set to end, professor Thomas Moomjy & others may face sharply higher premiums - or be forced to go without.
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
Even the replies from the cultists on Truth Social are overwhelmingly negative about Trump’s Reiner post. Of course, as usual, some are blaming his advisers for it - like this one blaming Susie Wiles.
December 15, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Even the replies from the cultists on Truth Social are overwhelmingly negative about Trump’s Reiner post. Of course, as usual, some are blaming his advisers for it - like this one blaming Susie Wiles.
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
Feverishly working on this
December 15, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Feverishly working on this
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
Hanukkah should be filled with light-instead we are confronting devastation & heartbreak. Our prayers are with those recovering & mourning in Providence & Sydney. We can not look away on this 13th anniversaty of Sandy Hook. Let’s light a candle to chase away the hate & darkness.
December 14, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Hanukkah should be filled with light-instead we are confronting devastation & heartbreak. Our prayers are with those recovering & mourning in Providence & Sydney. We can not look away on this 13th anniversaty of Sandy Hook. Let’s light a candle to chase away the hate & darkness.
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
The mass shootings last night- one against Jews as they celebrated Hanukah at Bondi Beach in Sydney and one against students at Brown in Providence as they studied for finals are heinous attacks against humanity- one antisemitic, the other,we will know soon enough.
www.aft.org/press-releas...
www.aft.org/press-releas...
AFT’s Weingarten on Horrific Gun Violence Incidents in Rhode Island and Australia
WASHINGTON—AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement responding to two mass shooting incidents this weekend at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and at Bondi Beach in S...
www.aft.org
December 14, 2025 at 7:32 PM
The mass shootings last night- one against Jews as they celebrated Hanukah at Bondi Beach in Sydney and one against students at Brown in Providence as they studied for finals are heinous attacks against humanity- one antisemitic, the other,we will know soon enough.
www.aft.org/press-releas...
www.aft.org/press-releas...
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
This is a terrible day for American families. The Senate could have sent a message to all Americans that they were dealing with healthcare costs by retaining the tax credits that make Obamacare affordable. It failed as most Senate Rs Refused. #RepublicanHealthCareFailure www.aft.org/press-releas...
AFT’s Weingarten on GOP Senators’ Cruel Vote on Healthcare
WASHINGTON—AFT President Randi Weingarten issued the following statement responding to the failed Senate vote to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies:“This is a terrible day for American families. The...
www.aft.org
December 11, 2025 at 8:33 PM
This is a terrible day for American families. The Senate could have sent a message to all Americans that they were dealing with healthcare costs by retaining the tax credits that make Obamacare affordable. It failed as most Senate Rs Refused. #RepublicanHealthCareFailure www.aft.org/press-releas...
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
The GOP just blocked the extension of the ACA subsidies. Are you surprised? Read my lips.
THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT YOU!
THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT YOU!
December 11, 2025 at 6:38 PM
The GOP just blocked the extension of the ACA subsidies. Are you surprised? Read my lips.
THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT YOU!
THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT YOU!
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
It’s as if Anne Frank was describing the state sanctioned terror in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
December, 2025
December, 2025
December 8, 2025 at 3:55 PM
It’s as if Anne Frank was describing the state sanctioned terror in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
December, 2025
December, 2025
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
Democrats are comfortable fighting Trump, but to change the country we need to do more than critique; Americans want solutions & there’s lots of room to work on economic pathways to success and creating opportunity for all. Thanks @DashaBurns for the conversation. www.politico.com/video/2025/1...
Economy & Education: U.S. trade rep. Greer and teacher's union head Weingarten | The Conversation
www.politico.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Democrats are comfortable fighting Trump, but to change the country we need to do more than critique; Americans want solutions & there’s lots of room to work on economic pathways to success and creating opportunity for all. Thanks @DashaBurns for the conversation. www.politico.com/video/2025/1...
Reposted by Viri Pettersen
School vouchers are touted as a vehicle of parental choice—but education policy prof. Josh Cowen finds they're linked to academic declines & exclude the most vulnerable students.
Whats actually works? Direct funding of public schools & whole-child approaches to learning.
www.aft.org/ae/fall2025/...
Whats actually works? Direct funding of public schools & whole-child approaches to learning.
www.aft.org/ae/fall2025/...
Ideology Over Evidence
www.aft.org
December 2, 2025 at 4:48 PM
School vouchers are touted as a vehicle of parental choice—but education policy prof. Josh Cowen finds they're linked to academic declines & exclude the most vulnerable students.
Whats actually works? Direct funding of public schools & whole-child approaches to learning.
www.aft.org/ae/fall2025/...
Whats actually works? Direct funding of public schools & whole-child approaches to learning.
www.aft.org/ae/fall2025/...