March 11, 1998 The Spokesman-Review, Our View: Settlement a farce
by John Webster
"Why should unions bother with PACs if they can just open their treasuries to the campaigns? Gifts in the coming election will deserve some scrutiny."

May 11, 1999 Seattle Times, Dissident teachers forcing union to disclose the truth
by Michelle Malkin
"Teachers have a First Amendment right not to join the union and to pay no more than the proven cost of collective bargaining activities. The principle is simple: Free speech not only means the freedom to voice your political views, but also the freedom from being forced to pay for someone else’s."

September 27, 1999 The Washington Times, Seattle’s campaign finance: Judge’s ruling exposes absurdity
by April Gentry
"...why can unions run over their membership in a way other organizations can’t?"

September 2, 1999 The Olympian, Our Views: Err on the side of disclosure
"It’s time to once again look at the provisions in this state’s campaign finance reporting law (Initiative 134) and bring some clarity to this muddy mess. Legislators, and judges, should always err on the side of too much, not too little, disclosure to the public."

November 17, 1999 Investor’s Business Daily, Editorials: Outlaw Union
"But a state judge has ruled that while the WEA did divert funds, it was innocent of failing to secure permission from members because it isn’t their employer."
"Yes, but that doesn’t make the union above the law and the will of Washington voters. When it comes to holding on to political power, the WEA has no such shame."

March 9, 1998 Seattle Times, Editorials: Settlement doesn’t end questions about WEA
"Characterizing the controversy over its campaign financing as ideological warfare makes for good soundbites, but it’s an injustice to WEA’s many members and sympathizers who believe union leaders have abused political power at the expense of dedicated teachers."

March 3, 1999 The News Tribune, Editorials: No excusing WEA election violations
"Organizations as well-funded and sophisticated as the WEA and NEA can reasonably be expected to collect and report their political money legally."

March 14, 1999 The News Tribune, Gregoire rips loophole to pull union lucre through
by Michael Costello
"Gregoire has indicated that she will hence forth overlook future transgressions. The unions are free to return to their merry ways, passing out coercively acquired money and influencing people. Initiative 134 will have been rendered absolutely toothless."

April 5, 1998 Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Workers owed right to decide donations
"we believe a proper law ought to apply to union dues."
"To the extent that the unions’ political voice is based on dues from unwilling members, that voice is false."

November 24, 1999 The Columbian, In Our View: Paycheck Violation
Washington Supreme Court to rule on meaning of 1992 campaign finance initiative
"Win or lose, the union is not acting in good faith when it uses employees’ mandatory union dues on politics without their consent."

March 3, 1998 The Chronicle, Settlement belies claim of vendetta
"Union members should have an ironclad guarantee in the law their dues cannot be used for candidates or causes they disagree with."

January 21, 1998 Education Week, Political Initiative
"The WEA "made what we feel was a deliberate attempt to circumvent 134. It was a well-thought-out plan to get around the problem ot the checkoff." Melissa Warheit [Executive Director] Public Disclosure Commission"

August 3, 1999 The Washington Times, State conservatives bite back
by April Gentry
"In this case, a win for the union is a big loss for members’ pocketbooks and right to free speech."

April 27, 1999 Investor’s Business Daily, Editorials: Shedding Light On Teachers Union Politicking
"Evergreen has taken the right step and shed light into the dark recesses of the education establishment."

June 3, 1998 The Wenatchee World, Workers will pay tribute
by Tracy Warner
"the political balance the unions fight to preserve requires forced donations. They know most workers wouldn’t contrubute to their brand of politics, given the choice. The WEA’s experience shows that. So, workers of the world pay tribute."

-30-