The Magazine of Corporate Responsibility

Tag Archive for ‘Political Spending’

Political Spending Proposal Defeated at Home Depot

The proposal by NorthStar Asset Management, a Boston money manager, requested that the company annually report on its political policies and contributions, disclose future anticipated spending, and provide an analysis of how such spending matches company values or policy. Although the measure was defeated, it is considered to be a template for similar proposals at other corporate annual meetings.

Citizens United: Waking a Sleeping Giant

A constitutional law expert says the U.S. Supreme Court ’s January ruling in the Citizens United campaign spending case raises a host of corporate governance issues that should be addressed by legislation before the 2012 Presidential election. “One of the reasons that this is such an objectionable decision,” she argues, “is it allows corporate managers in publicly traded companies to spend what Justice Brandeis called ‘other people’s money.’”

Target, Best Buy Investors Seek Review of Political Contributions

Three leading sustainability investment firms filed shareholder resolutions at Target and Best Buy seeking to have independent directors review the companies’ political spending practices and policies. Target and Best Buy have been under fire for contributions made to an organization that backs a Minnesota gubernatorial candidate who opposes gay marriage.

Political Contributions by Target and Best Buy Stir Criticism

Retailers Target and Best Buy find themselves the focus of unwanted attention following their contributions to an organization that backs a Minnesota gubernatorial candidate who opposes gay marriage. The case is one of the first major controversies since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that corporations and unions could spend freely on political campaigns.

Democrats Introduce Political Contributions Legislation

Democrats officially launched their long-expected legislative response to the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling freeing up corporations, unions and other groups to make political contributions. Five U.S. Senators released their version of the DISCLOSE Act – an acronym for the “Democracy is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections” Act. Similar legislation was introduced in the House. (File Photo)

Shareholder Advocates Urge Disclosure of Political Spending

The Center for Political Accountability, the Council of Institutional Investors and a number of shareholder advocate groups have launched a letter-writing campaign urging companies in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index to disclose all political contributions they make with corporate funds.