Big Political Spending By Unions -- Paid With Dues

[Omaha Steve]

X post in Labor & GD

For a different point of view see this post on the real $ the right is spending to brain wash workers: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025753560


http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2014/11/03/big-political-spending-by-unions-paid-with-dues/

GUEST POST WRITTEN BY

Terry Pell
Mr. Pell is president of the Center for Individual Rights.

Political campaigns depend on free speech and association. Sadly, this election cycle is providing further evidence that the First Amendment rights of hundreds of thousands of teachers and other public employees are being trampled upon by powerful, highly partisan and deceptive unions.

Unions have come armed to the financial teeth this election cycle to aid their Democratic friends and causes. In California, the California Teachers Association (CTA) is pulling out all the money stops to try and defeat reformer Marshall Tuck in the race for Superintendent of Public Instruction, which could turn out to be the most expensive race in the Golden State this year. Nationally, the National Education Association (NEA) expects to spend $40 million to influence the outcome of state and local elections.

The unions’ financial support of Democrats is not new or unusual. What is news though is the extent to which unions have gone to hide the aggressively partisan nature of their expenditures.

For example, a good chunk of the $40 million the NEA expects to spend—$12.6 million so far—is reportedly utilized by the union’s “Super PAC” called the NEA Advocacy Fund. As union observer Mike Antonucci points out, because these independent campaign committees do not coordinate with individual candidates, the union takes the position that it can use ordinary dues to fund its Super PACs rather than having to raise funds through voluntary donations, as is the case with the union’s regular PACs. Though agency fee payers can apply for a refund, they have to wait until next year to see the money.


If Big Money In Politics Offends You, Then You Must Loathe Labor Unions

FULL story at link.

Disclaimer: The Center for Individual Rights is a public interest law firm representing Rebecca Friedrichs and her co-plaintiffs in Friedrichs vs. California Teachers Association.