An Apple From the Teachers: Teachers' Unions Give Lessons on Contributing at the State Level

Abstract

From 2003 through 2007, teachers' unions gave $112.5 million to committees working on 88 ballot measures in 22 states. In addition, international unions NEA and AFT and their affiliates gave almost$53 million to political campaigns for state candidates and political party committees.Fast FactsIncumbent legislators received $21 million of the$29.7 million given to legislative candidate committees.Nearly 97 percent of the money given by teachers' unions came from the home state of that union.Teachers' unions made up only 1 percent of the more than $4 billion given to all candidates from all sources between 2003 and 2007.Teachers' union contributions represent a small percentage of all money given to candidates or political party committees