2008 California Election Forum

I’ve talked about how unfair it was for teachers unions to finance and campaign for board of education candidates who set their benefits and salaries. Here is a report from Steve Hemingway, who ran for school board. (I hope he runs again.)

"The union's primary issues are increasing membership and the salary/benefits of members. Only secondarily do they advocate the professionalism of its members or the education of children. In 2005, they chose three candidates who would support their goals. The union gave over $5,000 per candidate, which enabled them to send mailers. This was a huge benefit that made the difference for these ‘go-along’ candidates.

"This practice is not new. The other two candidates on the unified school district board were also union-picked. This results in homogeneity of thought that is often out-of-step with parents and citizens. There is no objectivity or independent thinking. No one advocates for quality of education for children except as an unintended side effect of increasing salaries and benefits for the union membership.

"If there was a way to block funding of candidates by teachers unions, it would help restore independence, responsibility and accountability to the electorate. It would help put candidates on a level playing field."