Lawmaker Attempts to Ban UEA PAC Contributions Spurs Members to Give More

None by Eric Ray

(KCPW News) Lawmaker attempts to stop Utah Education Association members from making voluntary contributions to the union's Political Action Committee through payroll deductions may have spurred fundraising for the teachers union.

UEA President Kim Campbell says the organization has seen as sevenfold increase in membership to its Capitol Club, which requires contributions of $100 or more per year. This shows that members see a connection between having policy makers that understand public education issues and what happens in classrooms, says Campbell.

The UEA is once again able to collect PAC contributions through payroll deductions after a 10th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a 2001 state law that banned the practice. Lawmakers tried, but failed, in the most recent session to curtail the union's PAC again.

To listen to a conversation with Campbell, which includes her thoughts on performance-pay programs for teachers, visit the Midday Metro page.

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