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October 1, 1998

WASHINGTON, D.C. - A report released today provides the most comprehensive report to date of an ultraconservative network that is pursuing an aggressive political agenda nationwide, including "a state-by-state assault on public education." Prepared by the National Education Association (NEA), The Real Story Behind 'Paycheck Protection' -- The Hidden Link Between Anti-Public Education Initiatives: An Anatomy of the Far Right catalogues a sophisticated web of groups and wealthy individuals and shows the direct link between anti-worker and anti-public education initiatives.

"As we work to transform public education to even better meet the needs of the twenty-first century, it is critical that we clearly understand those forces that are actively engaged in deconstructing public education and, in effect, pull back their curtain," said NEA President Bob Chase.

The report is the result of research NEA conducted during the successful defeat of California's Proposition 226, the so-called "paycheck protection" initiative that was rejected June 2 by a margin of 54-46 percent. That measure would have set government strictures on the way union members' dues are collected and spent. Similar proposals have been promoted in Congress and more than two dozen states.

The study drew on information from publicly available sources such as public documents and filings (federal income tax returns, Federal Election Commission reports, etc.), extensive Internet research, interviews, and articles in magazines and newspapers. The research demonstrates that not only are Proposition 226 proponents reaching into virtually every state in the nation, but they also include the network of organizations and individuals pushing tuition vouchers.

The Real Story Behind 'Paycheck Protection' provides extensive information on the funding behind anti-worker initiatives. It outlines the contributions and activities of individuals and organizations - not only the more than $5.5 million raised by three formal pro-Prop 226 committees, but also the independent activities of other organizations.

"Our point is not that this movement does not have a right to fight for its agenda," the NEA report states. "Far from it. Our objective is to help the public, state legislatures, local school boards, teachers, and the news media understand the motivation of the anti-worker initiatives and how they are centralized and funded."

Noting the need for this type of research, Larry J. Sabato, director of the Center for Governmental Studies at the University of Virginia, writes in the report's foreword that "hidden money is dangerous money in politics. . . . In a democracy, the sunshine of disclosure is the best disinfectant, and this report generates some necessary light. The news media ought to increase the wattage." Sabato calls the report "the most thorough guidebook available for charting - and predicting - the influence of the political right in America."

Many of the groups discussed in the report - such as The Heritage Foundation, Americans for Tax Reform, the Christian Coalition, and the Family Research Council - are well known. But the extent of their involvement in state initiatives, the way they work together and coordinate action, and the role wealthy conservative individuals play in funding the agenda is not widely understood.

"We compiled this information because it's important for our members and other education advocates to recognize this extensive, well-funded network and its campaign to de-fund public education," explained Don Cameron, NEA executive director. "We saw in California that the more people understood the consequences of Proposition 226 and the motivation of its proponents, the more they opposed it. The political action of NEA and many other organizations is subject to financial reporting requirements that do not apply to this network. We think more thorough information can put a better balance into future debates."

The Real Story Behind 'Paycheck Protection' delineates the funding and political activities of such wealthy individuals and key movement leaders as California religious right millionaire Howard Ahmanson, Pittsburgh billionaire Richard Mellon Scaife, Indiana insurance magnate J. Patrick Rooney, Wal-Mart executive John Walton, and Texas businessman James Leininger.

"Many otherwise well-informed citizens will be astounded to learn of the breadth and depth of the conservative network across America," writes Dr. Sabato in the report's foreword. "Never before has this puzzle-like structure been assembled and catalogued to such a degree."