Trillium Asset Management, LLC, a Boston-based pioneer in the field of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing, reported out today on the results of its 2011 proxy season engagements with nearly two dozen major U.S. corporations. (For a full listing of our 2011 Shareholder Proposals, scroll to the end of the page.)
“A good portion of [...]

The LA Times reported on Target’s recent change to it’s political donations policy, coming after the nationwide controversy that erupted following last summer’s contributions to MN Forward, an independent political committee that funneled money to a gubernatorial candidate known for his extreme opposition to lesbian and gay civil rights. 
Led by Trillium and Walden, 21 investors sponsored [...]

Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) and Best Buy (NYSE: BBY) have revised their policies on  political spending in the aftermath of the nationwide controversy that erupted following last summer’s contributions to MN Forward, an independent political committee that funneled money to a gubernatorial candidate known for his extreme opposition to lesbian and gay civil rights. The [...]

RESOLVED
The shareholders of Ford Motor (“Company”) hereby request that the Company provide a report, updated semi-annually, disclosing the Company’s:

Policies and procedures for political contributions and expenditures (both direct and indirect) made with corporate funds.
Monetary and non-monetary contributions and expenditures (direct and indirect) used to participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of [...]

RESOLVED
The shareholders of Halliburton (“Company”) hereby request that the Company provide a report, updated semi-annually, disclosing the Company’s:

Policies and procedures for political contributions and expenditures (both direct and indirect) made with corporate funds.
Monetary and non-monetary contributions and expenditures (direct and indirect) used to participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of (or in [...]

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

The Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision in January 2010 legalized the use corporate funds to pay for ads supporting or opposing candidates directly and to contribute to state or local elections.
In July 2010 Pentair donated $100,000 to MN Forward, a group created in the wake of the Supreme Court decision to collect donations by [...]

RESOLVED
The shareholders of State Street (“Company”) hereby request that the Company provide a report, updated semi-annually, disclosing the Company’s:

Policies and procedures for political contributions and expenditures (both direct and indirect) made with corporate funds.
Monetary and non-monetary contributions and expenditures (direct and indirect) used to participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of (or [...]

SUPPORTING STATEMENT

The Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision in January 2010 legalized the use of corporate funds to directly pay for ads supporting or opposing candidates and to contribute to state or local elections.
3M contributed at least $1.4 million in corporate funds since the 2002 election cycle. (CQ:  http://moneyline.cq.com/pml/home.do and National Institute on Money in State [...]

WHEREAS
Political spending by companies is increasingly controversial, heightened by the recent Citizens United Supreme Court decision, which allows companies to make independent expenditures in favor of or in opposition to, a candidate’s election campaign.
Corporate expenditures supporting a contentious 2010 ballot initiative suspending California’s Global Warming Solutions Act added fuel to the controversy, as did Target [...]

WHEREAS
The Target web site appears to have a thoughtful, transparent process for reviewing political spending, with its disclosure of oversight and 2008 contributions over $5,000.
The web site states “before any contribution is made, we determine that it is consistent with our business interests and under the circumstances, is an appropriate means of advancing our public [...]