The state teachers’ union has increased the Political Action Committee (PAC) contribution it automatically charges member teachers and education support professionals (ESPs). PAC money is spent on supporting political parties, candidates, and other political funds, and members have to request a refund of these dollars every year — rather than opting out once.
Education Minnesota increased the annual PAC assessment this year from $25 to $30 per member. While this is not a lot of money on an individual level, for many it is a matter of principle because of the politics the dollars fund. The union’s 2024 PAC report recorded just under $3 million in political expenditures, and higher spending is expected for the 2026 election cycle.
PAC refund request forms are available in the union’s magazine Minnesota Educator and must be filled out, signed, and mailed to Education Minnesota’s accounting department.
The union must receive the refund request form by Oct. 31 for continuing members, or within 30 days of signing a membership application for new members, so don’t wait until the last minute to send it in.
Once the form is signed and filled out, mail it to:
Education Minnesota Accounting Department
Attn: Refund Request
41 Sherburne Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55103-2196
Outside of this PAC contribution, Education Minnesota uses union dues to fund political activities and lobbying, which it self-reports in its annual federal filing to the U.S. Department of Labor. In the most recent available filing, which covers Sept. 2022-Aug. 2023, Education Minnesota reports it spent just under $3 million ($2.93 million) on political activities and lobbying. Minnesota teachers also pay dues to the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association that get spent on their political activities and lobbying.
Minnesota union members pay around $1,000 in dues — local dues vary, which impacts the grand total — and national and state dues increased for the 2025-26 year. (State dues have gone up every year since at least 2014-15.)
Although teachers technically have a choice, reclaiming their PAC contribution seems more like an obstacle course than a right. The current PAC funding structure should be reformed. A truly member-driven union would adopt an opt-in system, where members have a choice to contribute in the first place versus the union taking the money and forcing teachers to go through a burdensome process to ask for it back.
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Reach out to [email protected] if you have questions about the PAC refund process.
