ISS Analyzes Trends in Corporate Political Activity Disclosures and Related Shareholder Proposals Over the Past Decade
In thinking ahead to the 2025 proxy season, companies should consider, among other things, their CPA-Zicklin Index score.
US companies remain with associations despite divergence on climate
When Donald Trump was elected the 47th US president earlier this month, he did so with considerable help from corporate America. But corporate money is not just deeply embedded in political campaigns, it also has a major influence on the success or failure of specific legislation.
2024 CPA-Zicklin Index of Corporate Political Disclosure and Accountability
The Index’s data reflect leading companies holding firm overall to established norms of political disclosure and accountability, despite fierce headwinds against environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and related principles for investors and U.S. corporations.
US business interests deeply embedded in election
In 2020, fewer than half of companies in the S&P 500 disclosed their election-related contributions to PACs and trade associations, according to the Center for Political Accountability. Among those that did disclose, two-thirds of their spending went to trade associations.
Wells Fargo has tripled political spending with state
Wells Fargo gave a total of $704,300 to three Democratic and three Republican organizations known as 527s that are focused on electing governors, attorneys general and state lawmakers, according to data from the Center for Political Accountability
What’s Happening with Corporate Political Spending Disclosure?
“two of the largest institutional investors, BlackRock and Vanguard, voted for CPA’s resolution for the first time last year. BlackRock did so for six of the 12 CPA resolutions and Vanguard for three.”
A Leading Renewable Energy Financing Bank Gains Important Insights on U.S.- based Opportunities
Electric co-ops top industry’s political contributions; utilities change approach.
Amazon donates to group backing hardline anti-abortion Republican
DoorDash and CVS also contributing funds to Raga group trying to re-elect Todd Rokita, who favors total abortion ban.
FirstEnergy gave heavily to Trump and Trump worked for a federal bailout, report says
As it sought a massive, corrupt bailout in Ohio, Akron-based FirstEnergy also spent lavishly on Trump-aligned dark money groups and at hotels and golf courses owned by the former president, a new report said this week.
Comcast, a Backer of Reproductive Rights, Donates to DeSantis’s Anti-Abortion PAC
…the Center for Political Accountability issued an analysis that showed Comcast and other corporations that have liberal abortion employee policies were major contributors to the Republican State Leadership Committee.