Center for Union Facts says Randi Weingarten is ruining nation’s schools

[Starry Messenger]

Just for those who were not aware of the right-wing astro-turf empire of Rick Berman, here is a nice WaPo article.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/center-for-union-facts-says-randi-weingarten-is-ruining-nations-schools/2014/09/24/6443fed4-441e-11e4-9a15-137aa0153527_story.html

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), a watchdog group, maintains a Web site that tracks Berman’s activities. “His main purpose is to say things that these groups behind him will never want to be associated with publicly,” said Melanie Sloan, the group’s executive director.

As with his other nonprofit groups, Berman accepts tax­deductible donations to the Center for Union Facts and then contracts with his for-profit firm, Richard Berman and Co., to perform communications and lobbying work.

According to its federal tax filings, the Center for Union Facts received $3.5 million in contributions in 2012, paid Berman $23,288 to serve as president and then awarded a $835,940 contract to Richard Berman and Co. for advertising, research and lobbying.

In 2012, the Center for Union Facts had 14 opinion pieces and letters to the editor published and received coverage in 60 media outlets, according to its tax filings.

Center for Union Facts has several front groups, including one called Teachers Unions Exposed. If you ever see anyone using this group as a source, you can direct them to this link.