To make sure they maximize their political purchasing power, NEA Assembly Representatives passed a measure doubling each active member's annual political and media fund assessment from $10 to $20. About 60% of these special dues will support the Ballot Initiative/ Legislative Crisis fund, and the remaining 40% will pay for state and national media buys to support messaging and calls for action against things like anti-collective bargaining legislation.

The union is already the nation's top political contributor, and this measure will raise an additional $40 million per election cycle, according to Mike Antonucci, director of the Education Intelligence Agency. Antonucci noted that the increase alone is more than all but two other groups spent during the entire 2007-2008 election cycle.

Of course, the Legislative and Media funds figures constitute only a portion of NEA political spending. Members voluntarily contributed over $1 million in PAC money during the convention to add to the $3.1 million raised earlier in the year. State and local affiliates spend additional monies on elections and legislative issues that aren't included in these figures.

Convention delegates also sent 18,500 messages to Congress during the convention, reminding legislators of the union's ability to pressure them through its 3.2 million members. Clearly, the NEA is preparing for a bruising electoral season, amassing ammunition and mustering the troops for political war.