This is Spotlight on Small Business, a new video feature from NFIB Pennsylvania!
Today we talk about a bill to prevent the state from deducting dues, fees and PAC contributions for public unions from state employees paychecks. Below are some facts…then watch an interview with business owner Tom Smith about why this practice of using tax dollars to help the union collect political money is wrong and hurts small businesses.
Pennsylvania’s
five largest government unions—PSEA, AFSCME Council 13, SEIU, UFCW 1776, and
the PFT—received more than $163 million in revenue last year, mostly collected
through automatic deduction of union dues at taxpayer expense. These
unions reported spending more than $5.5 million in dues on lobbying and
political activity in 2013.
As
required by law, the PSEA informed its members that 12% of their dues will be
dedicated to political activities and lobbying in their 2013-2014 membership
year. Unions use taxpayer resources to collect members’
voluntary PAC contributions for candidates. While unions cannot use their members’ dues to donate
directly to candidates, PACs can make direct campaign contributions. PAC revenue from just six of Pennsylvania’s largest
government unions totaled more than $4.7 million in the last election
cycle.
