Press Release: American Federation of Teachers Attacks Show-Me Institute

Labor |
By Rick Edlund | Read Time 1 minute

Today, the American Federation of Teachers targeted the Show-Me Institute for our work to improve educational opportunities for Missouri’s families.

The public-sector union included Show-Me Institute board members as part of a national blacklist of fund managers that public pension trustees are encouraged to avoid.

According to a Wall Street Journal article, the union’s goal is to “strong-arm pension trustees not to invest in hedge funds or private-equity funds that support education reform.” (Full Article)

“The Show-Me Institute will not be bullied by the American Federation of Teachers into abandoning ideas that are in the interests of the people of Missouri,” Show-Me Institute Executive Director Brenda Talent said. “It is ironic, and sad, that a union which claims to represent kids and teachers is using pressure tactics to defeat proposals that would benefit both groups. We will continue our principled fight for Missouri’s students, taxpayers, and pensioners — whether the AFT likes it or not.”

About the Author

Rick Edlund is a communications consultant for Show-Me Opportunity, an organization associated with the Show-Me Institute. He left his hometown of Kansas City to become a sportswriter, attending Northwestern Universitys prestigious Medill School of Journalism. It was there that he found his niche in television news. In 2003, the award-winning broadcaster joined KPLR-TV News as anchor and managing editor. There, he franchised the Open Cases series of reports. Working with officials and investigators, he probed unsolved police cases with the goal of assisting in their completion. In his 20-plus years in the field, he has collected four Emmy Awards and other recognition as he rapidly advanced through larger markets as sportswriter, reporter, and then anchor. In St. Louis, he anchored and reported on the top-rated newscasts for KSDK-TV from 1985 to 1998, then anchored the 5:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. news on ABC 30 until 2001. Following that, Rick became a strategic adviser for political campaigns. He served as media spokesman and adviser to Missouri Congressman Jim Talent in the 2000 race for governor. He continued to advise candidates on strategy and how best to package and deliver their messages in debates, interviews, and commercials. During this time, he also advised companies on communications strategies and media relations, and served as presenter for industrial films and videos. Rick lives in West St. Louis County with his two children. He was actively involved in fundraising for AMC Cancer Research, the American Heart Association, and other charitable organizations.

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