The Oregon Education Association (OEA), the largest teachers union in Oregon, plans to become the state's largest political action committee (PAC) by 2026, according to internal documents obtained by Defending Education. The OEA, which represents approximately 41,000 educators and education support staff, is proposing new member assessments to increase its political influence and advance resolutions on issues such as taxation and artificial intelligence.
The OEA's strategic planning documents outline its goals, including increasing engagement with endorsed candidates and creating a pro-public school environment. The union has contributed significant funds to political organizations and candidates, including contributions to Legislative Accountability 1 and Transparent Elections for Grassroots Engagement, as well as to campaigns for various political candidates.
The OEA's documents also detail goals related to racial and social justice, aiming to improve funding for schools that serve historically marginalized students. Proposed resolutions include advocating for higher taxes on billionaires and opposing the use of AI in ways that could reduce school staffing.
Despite its political ambitions, the OEA has faced budget deficits since the 2018-19 school year. The organization reported that it has been projecting budget deficits, although it has seen a decrease in expected deficits from $2.1 million between 2021 and 2026. To address funding, the OEA is proposing a $20 annual assessment per member for a Public School Funding Campaign, which could generate approximately $820,000 if approved.
Personnel spending is projected to exceed $23.8 million in the 2026-27 fiscal year, with salaries and benefits accounting for about 79.3% of projected expenditures. Rhyen Staley, Director of Research at Defending Education, criticized the OEA for prioritizing political spending over educational outcomes, citing that Oregon students are performing below the national average in key subjects. Fox News Digital has reached out to the OEA for comment.