This year, the Florida Legislature passed a $114.5 billion state budget, including $30 billion for the K-12 public school system.
But that’s not enough, according to the Florida Education Association (FEA), which maintains that education spending remains underfunded.
FEA boasts approximately 110,000 to 150,000 active and retired members. However, the FEA is part of a larger organization that donates most of its union dues to liberal and democratic causes.
“Teachers unions are more than just workplace organizations. Teachers unions are major political spending institutions with deep influence over elections, legislation, ballot measures and school board politics,” said Suzanne Gallagher, executive director of Parent Rights in Education.
Look at how much teachers’ unions have donated using funds from their members.
Dating back to August 2015, the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers have contributed more than $669 million in dues/fees and PAC funds to political organizations, nonprofit organizations, school board campaigns, and opponents of school choice laws.
Nearly $27 million — The NEA Advocacy Fund, the National Education Association’s main political fundraising arm, has raised nearly $27 million for the 2024 election cycle, according to OpenSecrets data reported by The 74.
Raised $12 million/spent $13 million — The American Federation of Teachers PAC raised about $12 million and spent about $13 million during the 2024 election cycle, according to OpenSecrets data reported by The 74.
$915 million — According to the Commonwealth Foundation, during the 2023-2024 election cycle, the four largest public sector unions, including the NEA and AFT, spent more than $915 million for political and ideological purposes.
More than $106 million — According to the Commonwealth Foundation, national PACs run by NEA, AFT, SEIU and AFSCME contributed more than $106 million during the 2023-24 federal election cycle.
