The current incarnation of the union was formed in the year 2000 when the Montana Education Association (MEA) and the Montana Federation of Teachers (MFT) merged to become MEA-MFT.
Before that the two unions had been rivals with MEA primarily responsible for the cities and MFT taking care of the rural areas but also state workers and those in higher education as well.
As you can imagine, they’re concerned about education issues, and they take the Montana legislature very seriously. In 2006, for example, they spent $148,082 on lobbying, more than any other organization that year (PPL spent $146,494 that year).
I went for a candidate interview, which is pretty much so they can figure out which person to endorse for the election. They had a whole list of questions to ask me, and I gave them my answers.
Here were some of the questions:
- First, my opponent has 30 years or so of experience as a high school teacher here in Missoula.
- Second, what happens if I don’t win the primary and they then have to endorse him?
- Finally…well, that’s about it.
See, they said I answered all the questions perfectly, but again, I think it’s about my opponent. If I was the only one I think I’d get it hands-down.
But, as they said, you never know what’ll happen, so we’ll see. And the man there also thought I was ambitious. I sure hope they do at least send me an email so I know and can let you know as well.