Verizon Political Contributions Report 2015 Year End.Pdf
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1 Verizon Political Activity January – December 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 and its affiliates during 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 – December 2015 Political Contributions Policy: Our Voice in the Democratic Process What are the Verizon Good Government Clubs? setting of monetary contribution limitations and the The Verizon Good Government Clubs (GGCs) exist to help the establishment of periodic reporting requirements. Verizon people of Verizon participate in America’s electoral process and strictly follows all state and federal reporting and other political support the public policies important to our future as a action committee requirements and restrictions. company. Through the GGCs, employees voluntarily join together to contribute to political campaigns and effectively Does Verizon also make corporate political contributions? participate in the electoral process. Yes, corporate political contributions are made to organizations and to candidates for state offices where permitted by law. Each What is the mission of the Verizon Good Government Clubs? year, an overall contribution budget is established. In order to The Verizon Good Government Clubs’ mission is to advance and ensure consistency with company policy, all requests for protect the future of Verizon and its employees. The Verizon corporate contributions must be submitted for formal approval GGCs’ interest is not in partisan politics. Instead, through the by the regional vice president, Verizon Legal, and the Senior VP GGCs, we are able to stand together to help government for State Government Relations or Senior VP for Public Policy. officials and elected leaders understand our business, our issues Advance approval must be obtained for cash contributions to and our concerns. individuals or organizations able to receive corporate contributions, use of corporate facilities, discounts, or other How are Verizon Good Government Club contributions made? items having monetary value. In order to confirm consistency with company policy, candidates and committees who are recommended to receive support are How are candidates selected? approved by the state and federal GGC disbursal committees. Proper recipients of company political contributions and GGC These committees are comprised of Verizon employees who contributions include candidates for political office or understand our business and policies and are familiar with the organizations that support candidates for political office and political process and the candidates for state and federal office. ballot initiatives. Candidates and other organizations being A listing of the Officers and the Disbursal Committee of the considered for contributions from the GGCs and the company Verizon Federal GGC follows this discussion. are evaluated on a number of criteria, including their votes and positions on issues of importance to Verizon, which may include Are the Verizon Good Government Clubs required to adhere to issues affecting the business community in general or the any government reporting requirements? communications industry specifically, including issues such as The Verizon GGCs are political committees organized under communications policy, tax policy, and other policies relating to federal and applicable state election laws. As such, the GGCs are employment and economic growth. All contributions are made subject to numerous requirements established by the statutes to promote the interests of the company and its employees, and and the government agencies administering the federal and are made without regard to the private political interests of individual state election laws. These rules and regulations management. govern many aspects of the contributions process including the 3 Verizon Political Activity January – December 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 Lydia Pulley 1300 I Street, NW 703 E Grace Street Washington, DC 20005 Richmond, VA 23219 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 7920 4 Verizon Political Activity January – December 2015 5 Verizon Political Activity January – December 2015 ARIZONA PAC Contributions to Candidate Committees (Office Sought) Rep. Javan D. Mesnard (State House - AZ 17) ................................................................................................................................. $ 1000 Rep. Jeff Weninger (State House - AZ 17) ....................................................................................................................................... $ 1000 Sen. Steven B. Yarbrough (State Senate - AZ 17) ............................................................................................................................ $ 1000 CALIFORNIA PAC Contributions to Candidate Committees (Office Sought) Sen. Holly J. Mitchell (State Senate - CA 30) ................................................................................................................................... $ 1500 Assm. Susan Bonilla (State Senate - CA 7) ....................................................................................................................................... $ 2500 Sen. Isadore Hall, III (State Senate - CA 35) .................................................................................................................................... $ 2500 Assm. Roger Hernandez (State Senate - CA 26) ............................................................................................................................. $ 4200 Assm. Travis Allen (State House - CA 72) ........................................................................................................................................ $ 1500 Assm. Cheryl R. Brown (State House - CA 47) ................................................................................................................................. $ 1800 Assm. Marc Levine (State House - CA 10) ....................................................................................................................................... $ 2500 Sen. Janet Nguyen (State Senate - CA 34) ....................................................................................................................................... $ 1800 Assm. Katcho Achadjian (State Senate - CA 17) .............................................................................................................................. $ 1500 Assm. Tony Thurmond (State House - CA 15) ................................................................................................................................. $ 2000 Sen. Joel Anderson (State House - CA 71) ....................................................................................................................................... $ 1500 Assm. Eduardo Garcia (State House - CA 56) .................................................................................................................................. $ 1800 Assm. Kevin McCarty (State House - CA 7) ..................................................................................................................................... $ 2000 Sen. Tony Mendoza (State Senate - CA 32) .................................................................................................................................... $ 1800 Steven C. Bradford (State Senate - CA 35) .....................................................................................................................................