A Democratic governor breaks ranks with teachers’ unions. Taxpayers spend millions on union business at airport security checkpoints. And Kentucky teachers’ unions accumulate more than $22 million in investments and reserves while students struggle academically.
From political fights to financial disclosures, this week’s stories raise a familiar question: Who is looking out for workers, students, and taxpayers—and who is protecting union power?
🚨 New York: Hochul Backs School Choice. Teachers’ Unions Fight Back.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has officially opted into the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit program, defying opposition from powerful teachers’ unions.
Starting in 2027, the program will provide federal tax credits of up to $1,700 for eligible contributions to scholarship organizations, helping families cover educational expenses, including tutoring for public school students and private school tuition.
United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew called Hochul’s decision a “failure of leadership” and promised to fight to reverse it.
The union argues the program threatens public education. Hochul says the scholarships could bring millions in additional resources to New York students without reducing state or local school budgets.
Why it matters: When union leaders oppose a program that could provide additional educational opportunities, educators deserve to know why—and whether those positions reflect the priorities of the members paying dues.
💰 Kentucky: $22 Million in Union Assets. Students Still Struggling.
Two new Americans for Fair Treatment Where Do Your Dues Go? investigations uncovered striking financial findings:
- $14.6 million in publicly traded investments held by the Kentucky Education Association (KEA).
- $7.5 million in net assets at the Jefferson County Teachers Association (JCTA).
- 32% decline in KEA’s direct member benefits since 2018.
Meanwhile, roughly two-thirds of Jefferson County students are not proficient in reading, and approximately seven in ten are not proficient in math.
These union assets are not school district funds. But educators have every reason to examine the financial priorities of the organizations collecting and managing their dues.
Why it matters: Millions are accumulating in union accounts while direct member benefits decline. Teachers deserve to know what they are getting in return.
✈️ TSA: More Than 277,000 Hours of Taxpayer-Funded Union Business
How much does union activity cost the agency responsible for protecting America’s airports?
According to TSA’s administrative record, employees used 277,033.5 hours of taxpayer-funded official time for union representational activities in fiscal year 2024.
The estimated salary cost alone exceeded $7.3 million.
That’s more than 34,600 eight-hour workdays.
The agency’s records also describe operational challenges when certified security personnel are unavailable for screening duties because of union assignments.
The federal government is appealing a court injunction keeping TSA’s collective bargaining agreement in effect. Union plaintiffs argue the agreement protects employee rights and working conditions.
Why it matters: TSA employees deserve fair workplace protections. Travelers and taxpayers deserve an agency that can deploy trained security personnel efficiently—and a clear accounting of the costs associated with union operations.
👀 Randi Weingarten’s Penn Remarks Meet the Court Record
American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten told a University of Pennsylvania audience that the federal government wanted a list of “all the Jewish students” during an antisemitism investigation.
But an AFFT review of the court record found that the disputed EEOC subpoena sought information concerning certain university employees—not a comprehensive list of Jewish students.
The underlying discrimination investigation began under the Biden administration in 2023. The disputed subpoena was issued in 2025 and withdrawn in July 2026.
Weingarten also used her remarks to criticize the Trump administration and emphasize voting.
Why it matters: Union leaders wield influence far beyond the workplace. Their public claims should withstand scrutiny, particularly when they invoke sensitive controversies and connect them to national politics.
The Bottom Line
A fight over scholarships. Millions in union assets. Taxpayer-funded union activity. Political rhetoric that doesn’t match the court record.
Different stories. One recurring question:
Are union leaders serving the workers they represent—or advancing priorities those workers may not share?
Americans for Fair Treatment will keep following the money, examining the records, and asking the questions union members deserve to have answered.