By Bill Hillman
A think tank has filed complaints with the Internal Revenue Service, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Philadelphia field office that Governor Josh Shapiro received illegal contributions from the teacher’s union for flipping his support of school choice.
The Freedom Foundation, a watchdog group, has accused the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) of illegally funneling $1.5 million in union funds to support Governor Josh Shapiro’s campaign through the Democratic Governors Association (DGA). According to the group, unions are prohibited by law from using general treasury funds for direct or indirect political contributions. The PSEA allegedly moved funds into a political slush fund, the Fund for Student Success (FFS), which then contributed to the DGA. The DGA subsequently donated to Shapiro’s campaign, masking the forensic trail.
Matt Colman, Executive Director for The Institute for Educational Reform, which is engaged in several states promoting legislation to ban public sector teacher’s Union, commented on the controversy, “This is more proof that teachers unions are not interested in helping children and students in furthering the American education system. They have made it clear that their goal is lining their own pockets and increasing union political power.”
This controversy centers on Shapiro’s reversal on a $100 million school choice program he had pledged to support during his campaign, a move that coincided with pressure from teachers’ unions. The alleged funding scheme adds critical context to the governor’s decision, raising suspicions of a quid pro quo. In Philadelphia’s poorest Black and Hispanic neighborhoods, school choice is the only lifeline out of the failed public school system matrix.
Private and charter schools are the only way out for children to stop the cycle of poverty. “It is almost like the Democrat party does not want Black people to succeed and I wonder, why are they afraid of us?” said Sheila E. Armstrong, mother of a high school student.
“If the teacher’s union and Shapiro gave a shit about our children, they wouldn’t be giving it to wealthy politicians but would use it to help the children. All we ever hear from teacher’s unions is complaints that they don’t have enough money. I guess this shows that is a big lie,” Armstrong added.
Critics also highlight similarities to another case where Pennsylvania’s attorney general charged individuals with misusing union funds for political purposes. The PSEA’s actions have drawn accusations of dishonesty toward union members, as the organization has consistently assured them that their dues are not used for political activities. The watchdog group contends that, at a minimum, the PSEA is misleading its members, while the allegations against the union and Shapiro amplify debates over corruption and transparency in political funding.
In Philadelphia, public schools have complained about a lack of funding for years. Many high schools’ graduation rate is below 65 percent, according to data compiled by the School District of Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Federation of Teachers President Arthur Steinberg said that conditions are so challenging in the Philadelphia School District that it created a computer application to help its members navigate the problems at its schools.
What is clear is families in Pennsylvania are not getting what they were promised by Governor Shapiro, who instead appears to be enriching himself and his campaign while the public school system continues to fail students.
Bill Hillman is an ongoing consultant with Americans for Limited Government.
