Yes, absolutely. Simply check. They’ve spent far over a billion over the past decade directly to politicians, PACs, etc. The teachers union is the largest union in the US, and I think even the world.
Simply google the question, plenty of sources.
Yes, they are politically active, and that includes donations of money and in kind.
I don't know how I feel about this. Their political activity should be on the backs of their influence in voters or ability to mobilize their members for events. The fact that they are also following the give money way just feels wrong. Feels like the system is rigged against their interests. As they are not a profit seeking org they will never win that game. But they represent the interest of far more people than the oil lobby for example. Feels very, very screwy. I want to put my finger on it but its too slimy.
Yes. In my state’s last cycle, the state teachers’ union was the largest direct donor to state-level candidates of the winning party.
Much of that money is also derived from government spending itself, e.g. union dues.
That’s a situation ripe for corruption.
Indeed - that is even an example of circular corruption.