Dec. 3, 2008 at 1:14pm
The State of Washington and Washington Education Association announced today that they have settled a dispute stemming from campaign finance charges brought eight years ago against the WEA.
In 2000, the state filed charges against the teachers organization, seeking fines and attorneys' fees. WEA challenged the constitutionality of the law in question. The trial court ruled in 2001 that the WEA had violated a state campaign finance statute. The Washington Court of Appeals and Supreme Court held the statute to be unconstitutional.
In 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court concluded that the state law was valid, but did not rule specifically on WEA's compliance with the law. The state Legislature amended the same law at issue in the case that same year.
Under the terms of the settlement, WEA will pay the state $735,000 to resolve the litigation. In addition, WEA will return up to $240,000 to eligible agency fee payers from the 2003 through 2007 school years. These funds have been held in escrow during the time the appeals were pending. Rebate amounts to those eligible individuals who cannot be located will be paid to the Department of Revenue's Unclaimed Property Fund. The agreement also provides for audits and other safeguards The settlement eliminates the need for further court action to resolve remaining issues, and brings this case to an end.
The state and the WEA anticipate rebate checks should be mailed within the next six months to eligible agency fee payers. Any dispute as to the amount or entitlement is to be resolved between the WEA and the agency fee payer.
Posted in Banking/Financial Services, BE Daily, Charities/Non-profits, Education, Law and Legislation, Olympia by Hilary Reeves | Email Hilary
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