Political Contributions Are One Way We Support the Democratic Electoral Process and Participate in the Policy Dialogue
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1 Verizon Political Activity January – June 2015 A Message from Craig Silliman Verizon is affected by a wide variety of government policies ‐‐ from telecommunications regulation to taxation to health care and more ‐‐ that have an enormous impact on the business climate in which we operate. We owe it to our shareowners, employees and customers to advocate public policies that will enable us to compete fairly and freely in the marketplace. Political contributions are one way we support the democratic electoral process and participate in the policy dialogue. Our employees have established political action committees at the federal level and in 18 states. These political action committees (PACs) allow employees to pool their resources to support candidates for office who generally support the public policies our employees advocate. This report lists all PAC contributions, corporate political contributions, support for ballot initiatives and independent expenditures made by Verizon during the first six months of 2015. The contribution process is overseen by the Corporate Governance and Policy Committee of our Board of Directors, which receives a comprehensive report and briefing on these activities at least annually. We intend to update this voluntary disclosure twice a year and publish it on our corporate website. We believe this transparency with respect to our political spending is in keeping with our commitment to good corporate governance and a further sign of our responsiveness to the interests of our shareowners. Craig L. Silliman Executive Vice President, Public Policy and General Counsel 2 Verizon Political Activity January – June 2015 Political Contributions Policy: Our Voice in the Democratic Process What are the Verizon Good Government Clubs? govern many aspects of the contributions process including the The Verizon Good Government Clubs (GGCs) exist to help the setting of monetary contribution limitations and the people of Verizon participate in America’s electoral process and establishment of periodic reporting requirements. Verizon support the public policies important to our future as a strictly follows all state and federal reporting and other political company. Through the GGCs, employees voluntarily join action committee requirements and restrictions. together to contribute to political campaigns and effectively participate in the electoral process. Does Verizon also make corporate political contributions? Yes, corporate political contributions are made to organizations What is the mission of the Verizon Good Government Clubs? and to candidates for state offices where permitted by law. Each The Verizon Good Government Clubs’ mission is to advance and year, an overall contribution budget is established. In order to protect the future of Verizon and its employees. The Verizon ensure consistency with company policy, all requests for GGCs’ interest is not in partisan politics. Instead, through the corporate contributions must be submitted for formal approval GGCs, we are able to stand together to help government by the regional vice president, Verizon Legal, and the Senior VP officials and elected leaders understand our business, our issues for State Government Relations or Senior VP for Public Policy. and our concerns. Advance approval must be obtained for cash contributions to individuals or organizations able to receive corporate How are Verizon Good Government Club contributions made? contributions, use of corporate facilities, discounts, or other In order to confirm consistency with company policy, candidates items having monetary value. and committees who are recommended to receive support are approved by the state and federal GGC PAC and disbursal How are candidates selected? committees. These committees are comprised of Verizon Proper recipients of company political contributions and GGC employees who understand our business and policies and are contributions include candidates for political office or familiar with the political process and the candidates for state organizations that support candidates for political office and and federal office. A listing of the Officers and the Disbursal ballot initiatives. Candidates and other organizations being Committee of the Verizon Federal GGC follows this discussion. considered for contributions from the GGCs and the company Each of the state GGCs also has a PAC Committee comprised of are evaluated on a number of criteria, including their votes and local employees. positions on issues of importance to Verizon, which may include issues affecting the business community in general or the Are the Verizon Good Government Clubs required to adhere to communications industry specifically, including issues such as any government reporting requirements? communications policy, tax policy, and other policies relating to The Verizon GGCs are political committees organized under employment and economic growth. All contributions are made federal and applicable state election laws. As such, the GGCs are to promote the interests of the company and its employees, and subject to numerous requirements established by the statutes are made without regard to the private political interests of and the government agencies administering the federal and management. individual state election laws. These rules and regulations 3 Verizon Political Activity January – June 2015 Verizon Federal Good Government Club Officers Disbursal Committee Craig Silliman ‐ Chairman Peter Davidson ‐ Chairman 1095 Avenue of the Americas 1300 I Street, NW New York, NY 10036 Washington, DC 20005 Peter Davidson ‐ Vice Chairman Leecia Eve 1300 I Street, NW 140 West Street Washington, DC 20005 New York, NY 10007 Taylor Craig ‐ Treasurer Stephanie Johanns 1300 I Street, NW 1300 I Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 Washington, DC 20005 Natosha Prolago ‐ Assistant Treasurer Tim McCallion 1300 I Street, NW 2535 W. Hillcrest Drive Washington, DC 20005 Newbury Park, CA 91320 Craig Silliman 1095 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10036 Taylor Craig ‐ Non‐Voting 1300 I Street, NW Washington, DC 20005 David Kass ‐ Non‐Voting One Verizon Way Basking Ridge, NJ 07920 4 Verizon Political Activity January – June 2015 5 Verizon Political Activity January – June 2015 CALIFORNIA PAC Contributions to Candidate Committees (Office Sought) Assm. Susan Bonilla (State Senate ‐ CA 7) ................................................................................................................................... $ 2500 Sen. Holly J. Mitchell (State Senate ‐ CA 30) ............................................................................................................................... $ 1500 Sen. Isadore Hall, III (State Senate ‐ CA 35) ................................................................................................................................ $ 2500 Assm. Roger Hernandez (State Senate ‐ CA 26) .......................................................................................................................... $ 4200 COLORADO PAC Contributions to Candidate Committees (Office Sought) Rep. Crisanta Duran (State House ‐ CO 5) ..................................................................................................................................... $ 400 Contributions to Party Organizations, PACs and Other Groups Colorado Leadership Fund .......................................................................................................................................................... $ 2500 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PAC Contributions to Candidate Committees (Office Sought) Brandon Todd (City Council ‐ DC 4) ............................................................................................................................................... $ 500 Eugene Kinlow (City Council ‐ DC 8) .............................................................................................................................................. $ 250 LaRuby May (City Council ‐ DC 8) .................................................................................................................................................. $ 500 Contributions to Party Organizations, PACs and Other Groups DC Chamber of Commerce ‐ DC PAC .......................................................................................................................................... $ 1500 FEDERAL PAC Contributions to Candidate Committees (Office Sought) Rep. Mimi K. Walters (US House ‐ CA 45) ................................................................................................................................... $ 1500 Rep. Donald W. Norcross (US House ‐ NJ 1) ............................................................................................................................... $ 2000 Rep. Diane Lynn Black (US House ‐ TN 6) .................................................................................................................................... $ 2000 Rep. Charles William Boustany, Jr. (US House ‐ LA 3) ................................................................................................................. $ 1000 Rep. Kevin Patrick Brady (US House ‐ TX 8) ................................................................................................................................. $ 1000 Sen. Richard M. Burr (US Senate ‐ NC) ........................................................................................................................................ $ 5000 Rep. Thomas Jeffery Cole (US House