An analysis from Americans for Fair Treatment (AFFT) finds the largest teachers union in the country spent more money on liberal causes than on its own members.
From 2020-2021, most of the spending by the National Education Association (NEA) went to political activities and lobbying instead of its members.
AFFT found the NEA spent a total of $374 million during the 2020-2021 fiscal year with little money going directly to its members.
“The National Education Association’s (NEA) political and charitable spending in 2020-2021 makes the NEA look more like a political organization than a membership organization,” noted the AFFT.
The analysis shows the NEA donating millions to liberal groups including $1 million contribution to Future Forward USA Action, left-wing super PAC.
The NEA also has its own super PAC in the NEA Advocacy Fund. The union gave $15.7 million to the super PAC between Sept. 1, 2020 and Aug. 31, 2021.
The NEA gave $1.85 million to the Strategic Victory Fund super PAC which gives money to Democratic candidates. The group also sent $6.7 million to the State Engagement Fund, known to be a part of the Democracy Alliance network that donates to left-wing causes and candidates.
The NEA also sent $513,000 to Catalist; $425,000 to Democracy Alliance, called “the country’s most powerful liberal donor club” by Politico; $325,000 to the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center; $260,300 to America Votes; $200,000 to Economic Policy Institute; $100,000 to Center for American Progress; $75,000 to State Innovation Exchange; $50,000 to ProgressNow Colorado; $30,000 to the American Constitution Society; and, $10,000 to Community Change Action.
With 3 million members, the NEA employs more than 500 people, 50 of whom received salaries of more than $200,000.The average salary was $134,000. NEA President Becky Pringle earned $431,317 and Executive Director Kimberly Anderson earned $406,951.
While union membership has been on the decline, the NEA continues to raise funds. AFFT noted that the union’s political spending increased over the prior year, from $51 million in 2020 to $66 million in 2021. The NEA collected $377 million in member dues with $200 members paying annually. That is $2 million more than the previous year.
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