Jimmy Vielkind is reporting in the Times Union the New York State United Teachers spent approximately $4.5 million in this year's election. Most of that sum was used to pay for polling, as well as television and radio advertisements in eight state Senate races. The union's support helped eventually boost Democrats to victory. Almost a half million came in direct contributions to candidates and another half million was spent on internal "member-to-member" communications that are not required to be disclosed. According to officials, NYSUT's strategy stemmed from disappointment with legislation enacted by Senate Republicans, working with Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo over the past two years. The union was particularly vexed by 2011 legislation that lowered pension benefits for newly hired public workers. Read the full story in the Times Union.