Posted 8/15/01 Where Education Minnesota puts it money By T.W. Budig ECM capitol reporter With an annual budget reported at $22 million, Education Minnesota has the financial muscle to back its goals with money. Last session, the union spent almost $725,000 on lobbying efforts ñ only one other special interest, the Minnesota Twins, doled out more. The unionís financial reach extends to the campaign trail. According to Campaign Finance & Public Disclosure Board records, the union through its PAC spent about $621,000 in the 2000 election cycle in contributions to candidates, party units, and in independent expenditures. Those contributions include $51,000 to the House DFL caucus and $52,750 to the House Republican Caucus ñ the Republicans control the House. The Senate DFL Caucus pocketed some $108,250 in Education Minnesota contributions while the DFL State Central Committee received some $65,000. Many House and Senate candidates, including some Republicans, received $500 contributions from the union. Indirectly, many candidates were also backed through union independent expenditures. For example, in Anoka County, the union through independent expenditures nudged the political fortunes of a number of DFL candidates. According to state records, the union spent about $17,000 in independent expenditures in the race in District 48B, an open seat race won by Rep. Connie Bernardy, DFL, Fridley. But Education Minnesota President Judy Schaubach downplays the role of money. The unionís lobbying effectiveness, she said, comes about to a large extent through the direct contact its members have with elected officials. ìObliviously there parts of the Republican Party hostile to some of our beliefs,î said Schaubach. ìAnd this session, frankly Senate Democrats were the ones articulating the importance of not shortchanging the schools,î she said. As for the $725,000 spent last session, Schaubach said some 80 percent of the sum was spent on a six-week radio and television ad campaign designed to alert the pubic about the consequences of proposed educational funding. The goal was to make sure the public had a chance to be heard, explained Schaubach. ìWhen people think of lobbying, Iím not sure what they conjure up in their heads,î she said. ìI think (they think) itís using money to buy peopleís votes or something maybe,î she said. Gov. Jesse Ventura in a recent interview alluded to Education Minnesota as ìthe 800 pound gorilla.î He thinks of it that way because of the groupís ability to influence politics with its money, he explained. ìTo me, that represents a danger,î said Ventura, explaining that the Independence Party doesnít accept special interest contributions. He agrees with Education Minnesota on some issues, disagrees on others, said Ventura. ©Post Review