By Campanile
The state and New York City teachers’ unions were officially neutral in the 2018 governor’s race — but records show they funneled big bucks to groups opposed to Andrew Cuomo’s re-election bid, The Post has learned.
The situation may now prove sticky for the unions, who are currently lobbying Albany — and Gov. Cuomo — for more school funding in the state budget.
According to funding reports reviewed by The Post, the city United Federation of Teachers, New York State United Teachers and the American Federation of Teachers gave a total of more than $1 million to anti-Cuomo groups.
The NYSUT and the AFT, for example, contributed a combined $804,915 to the left-leaning Brooklyn-based Center for Popular Democracy during 2018-2019 period. The political arm of the CPD endorsed Cynthia Nixon over Cuomo in the Democratic primary.
Meanwhile the UFT and NYSUT gave a combined $205,0000 to NY Communities for Change, which endorsed Nixon over Cuomo.
A top aide to Cuomo, who has previously accused the lefty advocacy organizations of being “front groups” doing the union’s dirty work, praised The Post on Sunday for revealing the situation.
“We commend The Post on their investigative reporting showing how political money is actually funneled through different organizations, revealing campaign finance loopholes that allow some to operate with no transparency and with virtually unlimited funding,” said Cuomo senior adviser Rich Azzopardi.
The UFT defended its financial support for NY Communities for Change, claiming it has nothing to do with politics.
“Our support of New York Communities for Change is part of our work with our home childcare providers. NYCC is responsible for outreach to the providers, which includes making sure they receive materials and curriculum for the children in their care,” a UFT spokesperson said.
AFT President Randi Weingarten also defended the national union’s funding of the Center for Popular Democracy, saying, “Community is not just the labor movement’s new density—community is our responsibility. CPD has engaged community voices on vital issues like saving the Affordable Care Act and making sure [US Supreme Court] Justice [Brett] Kavanaugh is held accountable. We are proud to support CPD—both now and in the future.”
An NYSUT spokesman said, “At a time of rampant income inequality and social injustice, NYSUT supports organizations that aim to empower working class New Yorkers and help them effect change.”
