But, there are well-funded anti-public school forces that are trying to weaken our schools and break our union apart.
The Freedom Foundation
The incredibly cynical Freedom Foundation touts their desire to fight for what they laughably call "worker rights." Dig in just a little and discover what they mean: less pay, reduced or eliminated benefits, and the freedom for your employer to not worry about your working conditions or safety.
Not surprisingly, going after unions is key to their efforts to strip workers of hard-earned pay and benefits. Why? The same reason bosses have been undermining worker power for generations: So they make more money. That's an interesting definition of worker freedom.
WHO'S FUNDING 
Walton Family Foundation -- $3,275,000 Dick and Betsy DeVos Foundation -- $1,000,000 Mercer Family Foundation -- $500,000 Charles Koch Charitable Foundation -- $25,000
New Choice New York
These lovely folks wake up every morning wanting to crush unions. Behind the veneer of "choice" and "freedom" is a stone-cold anti-labor operation hell-bent on making sure your paycheck is lighter and you have less voice in the workplace.
If you find yourself annoyed by things like quality health care, a secure retirement, and a middle-class lifestyle, maybe check New Choice out.
WHO'S FUNDING The Mackinac Center/Donor's Capital Fund -- $4,962,550 The DeVos Family -- $1,410,000
New Yorkers for a
Balanced Albany
The political action committee of the pro-charter group StudentsFirstNY, New Yorkers for a Balanced Albany is funded by hedge-fund managers and the Walton family. It has spent millions nationwide to promote unaccountable charter schools.
If they really wanted "balance," they would join us in fighting for schooling equity for all students and solid wages for all workers. But they want only to tip the scales in favor of their ultra-rich donors.
WHO'S FUNDING Jim C. Walton -- Chairman and CEO of Arvest Bank Group, Inc. -- $1 million Alice Walton, daughter of Wal-Mart pioneer Sam Walton, $1,035,000 Daniel S. Loeb, CEO of Third Point LLC -- $5,025,000
Reclaim New York
With their pockets stuffed full of money from the billionaire Mercer family, Reclaim New York is on a crusade to overturn school boards and replace qualified members with their hand-picked bomb-throwers. These culture warriors could care less about quality education or well-staffed schools. Making sure schools run well is boring to them.
WHO'S FUNDING The Mercer Family Foundation – Billionaire Robert Mercer's private grant-making organization -- $1,600,000
The Goldwater Institute
Educators already lead hectic lives but the Goldwater Institute wants to make every workday a little worse for you. The group is promoting so-called “transparency bills” in 17 states that would require teachers to post online every single piece of instructional material used in the classroom over the course of a year. That includes books, articles, handouts and videos. The goal is to give parents who distrust their children’s schools fodder to stage protests, opt their children out and cut what they see as “offensive lessons,” which can really be anything at all they find objectionable.
WHO'S FUNDING Donors Capital Fund -- DonorsTrust affiliate for $1 million+ anonymous donors -- $665,462
Mercer Family Foundation -- Billionaire Robert Mercer's private grant-making foundation -- $500, 000
VOTE-COPE is how we FIGHT BACK
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VOTE-COPE is the statewide union’s voluntary, non-partisan advocacy fund. NYSUT member contributions help us advocate for our members' rights and for strong, safe public schools across the state. No member dues dollars are used to support political candidates.
VOTE-COPE is NYSUT’s Political Action Committee. VOTE-COPE funds are used in federal, state and local elections. Contributing to VOTE-COPE is voluntary, and NYSUT members and their immediate family members may refuse to contribute to VOTE-COPE without reprisal. Contributing to VOTE-COPE is not a condition of membership in any labor organization. Contributions to VOTE-COPE will be screened, and any unauthorized contributions will be returned. Contributions to VOTE-COPE are not deductible as charitable
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