Author: James McAllister

  • Wyoming state board pushes back against ESG

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    The Wyoming State Loan and Investment Board on August 2 enacted a new investment policy prohibiting ESG considerations in state investments. Ballotpedia tracks support for and opposition to the environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) investing movement. To learn more about arguments for, against, and about ESG, click here. For more information on reform proposals…

  • Wisconsin governor vetoes unemployment insurance changes

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    Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) on August 4 vetoed five bills related to unemployment insurance. The bills in the package included the following proposals: Broadening the definition of employment misconduct that would disqualify a fired person from claiming unemployment benefits. Requiring the Department of Workforce Development to create a process through which employers can disclose…

  • BlackRock announces plans to allow investors to vote their own proxies

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    The Big Three passive asset management firms—BlackRock, State Street, and Vanguard—have been criticized for using investors’ money in pursuit of political goals. The firms use the funds that they invest on behalf of their clients and vote the proxies that, outside of a pooled index or mutual fund, investors would typically vote themselves. ESG critics…

  • Arkansas laws opposing ESG take effect

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    Two new state laws in Arkansas creating an oversight committee to develop a list of companies using ESG in investment or boycott decisions go into effect on August 1. State and public entities “could no longer conduct business with the companies” on the list, according to The Center Square. Ballotpedia tracks support for and opposition…

  • State AGs: Social policies could violate the law following SCOTUS affirmative action ruling

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    Thirteen Republican state attorneys general sent a letter on July 13 to major corporations suggesting that certain social policies (the S in ESG) like making hiring or promotion decisions based on race might be illegal following the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on affirmative action. Ballotpedia tracks support for and opposition to the environmental, social, and…

  • U.S. weekly unemployment insurance claims fall to 237,000

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    New applications for U.S. unemployment insurance benefits fell 12,000 for the week ending July 8 to a seasonally adjusted 237,000. The previous week’s figure was revised up by 1,000 to 249,000. The four-week moving average as of July 8 fell 6,750 from the previous week’s revised average to 246,750. The number of continuing unemployment insurance…

  • U.S. weekly unemployment insurance claims rise to 248,000

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    New applications for U.S. unemployment insurance benefits rose 12,000 for the week ending July 1 to a seasonally adjusted 248,000. The previous week’s figure was revised down by 3,000 to 236,000. The four-week moving average as of July 1 fell 3,500 from the previous week’s revised average to 253,250. The number of continuing unemployment insurance…

  • U.S. weekly unemployment insurance claims fall to 239,000

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    New applications for U.S. unemployment insurance benefits fell 26,000 for the week ending June 24 to a seasonally adjusted 239,000. The previous week’s figure was revised up by 1,000 to 265,000. The four-week moving average as of June 24 rose 1,500 from the previous week’s revised average to 257,500. The number of continuing unemployment insurance…