Verizon Communications, Inc. – Cease Political Spending (2023)
Former chief justice of the Delaware Supreme Court Leo Strine argued in the Harvard Business Review: “Because political donations are controlled by managers, and because no corporate stakeholders, including shareholders, base their relationship with a company on the expectation that it will use its entrusted capital for political purposes, corporate political spending cannot reflect the diverse preferences and views of those stakeholders. Even the classic justification that corporate donations maximize shareholder wealth is on shaky ground: Emerging evidence suggests that they can destroy value by suppressing innovation and distracting managers from more-pressing tasks.” https://hbr.org/2022/01/corporate-political-spending-is-bad-business A study of corporate political activity …
Home Depot Inc. – Political Spending (2023)
Whereas: The Home Depot’s Political Activity and Government Relations Policy states that it “actively participates, and encourages its associates to participate, in the political process,” in an effort to ensure that governments of countries “in which we conduct business act responsibly and in the best interest of our customers and associates.” Home Depot sponsors a political action committee (PAC) which “supports public officials and candidates who understand the issues affecting Home Depot and promote a favorable business climate for the Company.” However, The Home Depot’s politically focused expenditures appear to be misaligned with its public statements of its views and …
Home Depot – Political Spending (2022)
Whereas: The Home Depot’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee annually reviews The Home Depot’s political contributions. The Home Depot has stated, “In an effort to ensure that the federal, state and local governments of those countries in which we conduct business act responsibly and in the best interest of our customers and associates, Home Depot actively participates, and encourages its associates to participate, in the political process.” Home Depot sponsors a political action committee (PAC) which “supports public officials and candidates who understand the issues affecting Home Depot and promote a favorable business climate for the Company.” However, The Home Depot’s …
Chubb Ltd. – Political Spending (2019)
Resolved, that the shareholders of Chubb Ltd. (“Chubb” or “Company”) hereby request that the Company provide a report, updated semiannually, disclosing the Company’s: 1. Policies and procedures for making, with corporate funds or assets, contributions and expenditures (direct or indirect) to (a) participate or intervene in any campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office, or (b) influence the general public, or any segment thereof, with respect to an election or referendum. 2. Monetary and non-monetary contributions and expenditures (direct and indirect) used in the manner described in section 1 above, including: a. The identity …
American Water Works – Political/Lobbying Spending (2019)
Resolved, that the shareholders of American Water Works Co. (“the Company”) hereby request that the Company provide a report, updated semiannually, disclosing the Company’s: 1. Policies and procedures for making, with corporate funds or assets, contributions and expenditures (direct or indirect) to (a) participate or intervene in any campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office, or (b) influence the general public, or any segment thereof, with respect to an election or referendum. 2. Monetary and non-monetary contributions and expenditures (direct and indirect) used in the manner described in section 1 above, including: a. The …
American Water Works – Political Spending (2018)
Resolved, that the shareholders of American Water Works Co. (“the Company”) hereby request that the Company provide a report, updated semiannually, disclosing the Company’s: 1. Policies and procedures for making, with corporate funds or assets, contributions and expenditures (direct or indirect) to (a) participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office, or (b) influence the general public, or any segment thereof, with respect to an election or referendum. 2. Monetary and non-monetary contributions and expenditures (direct and indirect) used in the manner described in section 1 above, including: a. …
Emerson Electric – Political Spending (2018)
Resolved, shareholders of Emerson Electric Co. (the “Company”) request the Company to prepare and semiannually update a report, which shall be presented to the pertinent board of directors committee and posted on the Company’s website, that discloses the Company’s: a) Use of corporate funds for independent expenditures and electioneering communications, as defined by state and federal law, as well as contributions to or expenditures on behalf of organizations that make such expenditures, and b) Contributions to or expenditures on behalf of entities organized and operating under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, as well as the portion of any …
Cisco Systems – Lobbying Reporting (2017)
Whereas, we believe in full disclosure of our company’s direct and indirect lobbying activities and expenditures to assess whether Cisco’s lobbying is consistent with its expressed goals and in the best interests of shareholders. Resolved, the shareholders of Cisco Systems, Inc. (“Cisco”) request the preparation of a report, updated annually, disclosing: 1. Company policy and procedures governing lobbying, both direct and indirect, and grassroots lobbying communications. 2. Payments by Cisco used for (a) direct or indirect lobbying or (b) grassroots lobbying communications, in each case including the amount of the payment and the recipient. 3. Cisco’s membership in and payments …
PNC Financial Services – Political Spending (2017)
Resolved, that the shareholders of PNC Financial Services Group (“Company” or “PNC”) hereby request that the Company provide a report, updated semiannually, disclosing the Company’s: 1. Policies and procedures for making, with corporate funds or assets, contributions and expenditures (direct or indirect) to (a) participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office, or (b) influence the general public, or any segment thereof, with respect to an election or referendum. 2. Monetary and non-monetary contributions and expenditures (direct and indirect) used in the manner described in section 1 above, including: …
Emerson Electric-Political Spending (2017)
Resolved, shareholders of Emerson Electric Company (the “Company”) request the Company prepare and semiannually update a report, which shall be presented to the pertinent board of directors committee and posted on the Company’s website, that discloses the Company’s: a) Use of corporate funds for independent expenditures and electioneering communications, as defined by state and federal law, as well as contributions to or expenditures on behalf of organizations that make such expenditures, and b) Contributions to or expenditures on behalf of entities organized and operating under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code, as well as the portion of any dues …
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