WEA's attack predictable response from monopoly

In what it claims is the next step in a series of attacks aimed at "exposing" the Evergreen Freedom Foundation (EFF), the Washington Education Association (WEA) this past Monday (5/6) launched another statewide radio ad against the Foundation. In the ads, the WEA continues to mislead the public in its attempt to divert attention away from its own run-ins with the law and its own refusal to treat teachers respectfully.

The WEA and its parent organization, the National Education Association (NEA), have been investigated and/or prosecuted by EFF, the state attorney general's office, and the Public Disclosure Commission. The union has been found guilty in the courts for numerous violations of state law, resulting in more than $1 million in fines and penalties, including $530,000 in refunds to Washington teachers.

This track record of chronic law-breaking has hurt the WEA in the eyes of the public and teachers. But instead of making the commitment to follow the law and treat teachers as professionals capable of making their own political decisions – which would allow EFF and the state to back off – union officials have decided to try to destroy those who expose their illegal activity. Namely, the Evergreen Freedom Foundation.

The WEA's latest ad claims EFF is a front group for extremist out-of-state special interests who want to destroy public schools. Union officials allege that EFF receives most of its funding from such organizations.

It's ironic that WEA officials have chosen to criticize EFF's funding sources. We present our ideas to gain voluntary support, while the money collected by the union and spent to influence elections is taken from teachers who have no choice but to contribute or find a new profession.

As for our funding sources: EFF's bread-and-butter funding comes from the voluntary donations of nearly 3,000 individuals statewide and a couple dozen private foundations. We respect our donors' confidentiality, as do all non-profit organizations, and most of our money each year is spent for research projects that have nothing to do with the WEA. The exceptions were the years we were forced to defend ourselves when the WEA sued us for our ideas.

While we have been an outspoken proponent of public charter schools, we have never advocated the dismantling or defunding of public schools. Our position on public schools is clearly stated and can be found on our website at www.effwa.org. A chart showing our funding sources can also be found by clicking the "About EFF" menu item on our home page.

The prolonged attacks of WEA and NEA officials come as no surprise. Union officials want to protect their monopoly power. Since they have lost repeatedly in the courts, they now are hoping to publicly defame those responsible for exposing their illegal activity. Apparently this is easier for the union than obeying the law.

Evergreen Freedom Foundation P.O. Box 552, Olympia, WA 98507 Phone: (360) 956-3482, Fax: (360) 352-1874 Email: effwa@effwa.org