in the state without a union. Leadership The same year, McGarvey challenged Driscoll for leadership of the Montana AFL-CIO. Driscoll's tenure had been a rocky one. He had called for discussions which could lead to enactment of a state sales tax, and he had pushed the Montana AFL-CIO board of directors to join the Western Environmental Trade Association, a pro-development coalition at odds with environmental groups. One union had already disaffiliated from the state federation, and two more were threatening to do so. With MEA-MFT's backing McGarvey easily won election. He subsequently retired as MEA-MFT vice president in May 2006. Larry Nielson was elected as his replacement. In July 2006, Feaver was elected a vice president of the AFT. McGarvey had been a long-time AFT vice president as well as chair of the union's Federation of Public Employees division. Feaver's election by AFT delegates at the AFT's biennial convention continued to give MEA-MFT a voice in the national AFT. Political participation MEA-MFT is one of the most prominent political and lobbying forces in the state. The union spent over $148,082 in lobbying expenses during the state's 90-day legislative session in 2006. The union spent more than PPL Montana (a power company; $146,494), the Montana Association of Realtors ($75,944), the Montana Association of Counties ($67,844), or the American Heart Association ($61,036). References External links Trade unions established in 2000 American Federation of Teachers Education trade unions National Education Association Education in Montana Economy of Montana 2000 establishments in Montana State wide trade unions in the United States