The Utah Lawsuit That Could Echo in Nevada
A Utah public school teacher just dropped a bombshell lawsuit that should make every Nevada educator sit up and take notice.
Cole Kelley, a financial literacy teacher at American Fork High School and member of the Utah State Board of Education, is taking the Utah Education Association (UEA) to court for what he calls flat-out lying about where member dues really go.
“I’ve watched people pay dues to the union based on a lot of misinformation and a lot of half-truths,” Kelley told the Deseret News.
“I think it’s important for teachers to know the truth of what they are, and who they represent.”
The lawsuit, filed in Utah’s 3rd District Court alongside the Freedom Foundation, identifies at least six written statements where the UEA claimed members’ dues are “never” used for politics. Even after quietly deleting one statement and narrowing others to say dues aren’t used for “political parties or candidates,” the lawsuit argues these claims are still false.
“Unions like the UEA often operate a political action committee funded by voluntary contributions solicited from members and use these highly visible funds to deflect questions about whether members’ dues are used for politics,” said Maxford Nelsen, the Freedom Foundation’s director of research and government affairs.
“Unbeknownst to most teachers, the vast majority of teachers unions’ political spending is financed with member dues, and the UEA is no different.”
Following the Money Trail
The lawsuit reveals that while the UEA raised about $40,000 for its PAC in 2024, the union and its parent organization, the National Education Association (NEA), together contributed more than $2 million in members’ dues to other Utah political committees between June 2024 and April 2025.
The NEA, which collects more than $200 annually from each UEA member, doesn’t just sit on that money.
According to the lawsuit, the NEA contributed nearly $1.4 million in members’ dues to the host committee for the 2024 Democratic National Convention, gave $150,000 to Pro-Abortion Emily’s List, contributed nearly $1.1 million to the Democratic Governors Association, and spent almost $60,000 on advertisements backing Kamala Harris.
The NEA Advocacy Fund raised nearly $27 million for the 2024 election alone. They donated $3 million directly to Harris’s campaign and pumped $6.9 million into other super PACs supporting Democrats. They gave $2.5 million to Future Forward USA Action, the pro-Harris super PAC, and $1.5 million each to the House Majority PAC and Senate Majority PAC.
“The NEA, UEA and local affiliates continue to misrepresent the truth,” Kelley said.
“It is time for teachers to hold the UEA accountable for its misleading information. The truth matters.”
Nevada’s Political Reality Check
Now let’s talk about what’s happening right here in Nevada. While the Clark County Education Association (CCEA) broke away from the state and national unions in 2018 to become an independent entity, the Nevada State Education Association (NSEA) still represents thousands of educators across the state’s other 16 counties and remains the bargaining agent for support staff in Clark County through the ESEA.
Unlike the Utah union’s claims, Nevada’s unions are often more open about their political weight. The NSEA openly endorses candidates and ballot measures, including backing Question 6 to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.
Your Constitutional Right to Walk Away
Here’s why the Utah lawsuit matters: both states have strong protections for teachers who don’t want their money funding political causes they oppose. Nevada is a right-to-work state, and the 2018 Janus v. AFSCME Supreme Court decision confirmed that public employees cannot be forced to pay union dues or fees as a condition of employment.
The court ruled that mandatory dues violate workers’ First Amendment rights to freedom of speech. In other words, forcing someone to fund political speech they disagree with is unconstitutional.
Yet many Nevada teachers still don’t know they have options. They can opt out during a specific window each year—typically July 1-15. Miss that window, and you are often stuck paying dues for another year.
The Numbers Tell the Story
In Clark County, thousands of teachers have already exercised their right to opt out after the CCEA-NSEA split. Many have discovered alternatives like the Association of American Educators (AAE), which provides liability insurance and professional support for a fraction of the cost—without the political baggage.
Compare that to union dues that can exceed $700 annually, with much of that money flowing to national organizations that spend millions on political campaigns.
What This Means for Nevada
The Utah lawsuit asks the court to find that the UEA’s “no dues for politics” claims were false and to order public corrections. If successful, it could set a precedent for transparency that ripples into Nevada.
Imagine if Nevada’s unions were forced to show exactly where every dollar goes. Imagine if they couldn’t hide behind misleading statements about keeping politics separate from member dues. That’s what’s at stake in Utah, and it’s why Nevada teachers should be paying attention.
Taking Action
If you’re a Nevada teacher questioning where your dues go, you have options. Mark your calendar for next July’s opt-out window. Research alternatives for liability insurance and professional support. Most importantly, know your rights—no one can force you to fund political speech you disagree with.
The unions will keep playing politics with teachers’ money unless educators stand up and demand transparency. The Utah lawsuit is a start. The question is whether Nevada teachers will demand the same accountability.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
