Bev vetoes bill 'punishing' NC teacher group (The 'group' is a ham-handed trade union in disguise.)

Verne Strickland Blogmaster  June 18, 2011 'Non-partisan' Associated Press ignores NCAE's role as shill of leftist parent outfit NEA. But group looks like a union, waddles like a union, and quacks like a union. By EMERY P. DALESIO  Associated Press Gov. Bev Perdue By NBC-17 and Associated Press Published: June 18, 2011 RALEIGH, N.C.    Gov. Bev Perdue vetoed a bill Saturday that strips the revenue stream from the North Carolina Association of Educators. Republican legislators singled out the Democrat-friendly NCAE to stop it from deducting membership dues from paychecks. “This bill is nothing but a petty and vindictive attempt to seek retribution against a group that opposed the Republican budget,” said Perdue in a written statement. “The bill unfairly singles out this one group for special treatment. The state Constitution requires organizations with similar missions to be treated equally. This bill clearly does not follow that requirement, therefore I veto it.” Republican leaders say the cutoff of dues was not an attack on teachers. They say it was a move against the political activity of the group's leadership against GOP causes. Minority Leader Joe Hackney issued a statement shortly after the governor's veto. "Gov. Perdue made another strong stand for teachers today by refusing to allow this frivolous legislation go into law," Hackney said in a written statement. "Teachers have the right to share their opinions about a budget that hurts our children and should not have to fear political retribution in return. House Democrats will support them and our governor again if we are called upon." ***********  NCAE LOOKING OUT FOR CHILDREN, MEMBERS -- OR ITSELF? Posted May 3, 2011 by Bob Luebke CIVITAS The North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) portrays itself as concerned with the interests of students and public education.  Don’t be fooled by the rhetoric. NCAE represents the interests of approximately 50,000 teachers and public school employees who pay them. NCAE tax documents state the real purpose of its mission: “[Tax] Exempt purpose is to advance the interests of educators and the promotion and protection of welfare of the association’s members”1 “To advance the interests of the teaching profession”2   While Schools Suffer, NCAE is Immune from Current Economic Hardship Over the past several years, NCAE has bemoaned declining average teacher salaries, the loss of ABC Bonuses and rising insurance premiums. However, NCAE seems immune from these troubling trends. In 2009, NCAE took in more than $11 million in total revenue,3 including $8.8 million in membership dues Total NCAE revenue has increased from $10.1 million (2006) to $11 million (2009) According to the NCAE web site, average dues for teachers for 2009-10 were about $370/year 4 Since 2006, the number of NCAE employees has increased from 86 to 135, an expansion of 56 percent NCAE spent $7.9 million on salary and compensation in 2009. Divided among 135 employees, this generates an average salary and compensation: $58,719 5 Compensation as a percentage of total NCAE expenses has increased from 66 percent (2006) to 72 percent (2009) http://www.nccivitas.org/