Buckeye Institute Responds to CEA
COLUMBUS – Buckeye Institute President David Hansen today responded to the Columbus Education Association’s (CEA) ill-informed and questionable complaint to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). In a letter to the IRS, the CEA accused the Buckeye Institute of political activity because its public policy findings were used in a lawsuit.
Mr. Hansen made the following statement:
“The Buckeye Institute will not be intimidated by union bullies who seek to silence opposing points of view. The CEA attacked us today because we have facts showing how teacher union contracts in Ohio shortchange children, and especially disadvantaged children.”
“The Buckeye Institute is a non-partisan, non-profit free market think tank that engages opinion leaders, policymakers, media and the public with scholarly analysis and commentary. We promote free market solutions, not candidates. We support ideas, not political parties. We have nothing to hide. Sadly, the CEA cannot say the same.”
“Interestingly, the Buckeye Institute policy study referenced by the CEA does not even mention Columbus public schools. The study provides a macro view of Ohio’s high-poverty school districts and their teacher funding disparities. It seems the CEA did not take the time to read our study.”
“In the end, we believe the IRS will dismiss this ill-informed and questionable complaint.”
The Buckeye Institute policy study entitled, “Shortchanging Students in High-Poverty School Districts” is available for review at www.buckeyeinstitute.org.
