This year, the Florida legislature passed a state budget of $114.5 billion that includes $30 billion for the K-12 public school system.
Yet, according to the Florida Education Association (FEA) it isn’t enough and they claim education spending is still under funded.
The FEA boast of having around 110,000 to 150,000 active and retired members. But the FEA is part of a much larger group that donates most of their union dues money to liberal functions and democratic campaigns.
“Teachers unions are not merely workplace associations. They are major political spending machines with deep influence in elections, legislation, ballot measures, and school board politics,” said Suzanne Gallagher Executive Director for Parents’ Rights in Education.
A look at how much Teacher Unions have given using the dollars from their members.
Going back to August 2015, the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers have contributed more than $669 million in member dues/fees and PAC funds to political entities, nonprofits, school board campaigns, and opponents of school choice legislation.
Nearly $27 million — The NEA Advocacy Fund, the main political fundraising arm of the National Education Association, raised nearly $27 million for the 2024 election cycle, according to OpenSecrets data reported by The 74.
$12 million raised / $13 million spent — 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 — During the 2023–24 election cycle, the four largest public-sector unions — including NEA and AFT — spent more than $915 million on political and ideological causes, according to the Commonwealth Foundation.
More than $106 million — National PACs operated by NEA, AFT, SEIU, and AFSCME contributed more than $106 million during the 2023–24 federal election cycle, according to the Commonwealth Foundation.
