WASHINGTON—Heritage Action, a conservative grassroots organization with two million activists nationwide, including thousands of Mississippians, released the following statements praising Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson for combatting the dangerous environmental, social, and governance (ESG) movement by taking legal action against ESG-aligned investment giant BlackRock.
Heritage Action Executive Vice President Ryan Walker:
“Americans are fed up with corporations using their hard-earned dollars to force them to support Left-wing politics. Companies like BlackRock make a promise to their customers to be good stewards of their investments, but ESG-based money management flies in the face of fiduciary responsibility. Heritage Action stands with Secretary Watson as he protects the economic freedom and interests of the people of his state against a powerful corporation intent on prioritizing progressive activism over fiscal sanity.”
Heritage Action Director of State Advocacy Catherine Gunsalus:
“People deserve to know their money is invested solely to advance their financial interests—not the political interests of companies beholden to the Left. Heritage Action is proud to see Mississippi become the latest state taking action to dismantle the ESG regime that is failing Americans. Secretary Watson should be applauded for taking bold action and joining conservative leaders across the country fighting back.”
On Tuesday, Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson's office issued a Summary Cease and Desist Order and Notice of Intent to Impose Administrative Penalty against BlackRock, Inc., the largest asset management company in the world. Secretary Watson’s office claims “BlackRock, through its ESG assertions, has repeatedly made false and misleading statements to Mississippi investors.”
As the ESG movement infiltrates corporations and threatens Americans’ finances, it’s more important than ever for lawmakers to ensure that asset managers are following through with their fiduciary responsibilities.
State lawmakers and Heritage Action grassroots across the country have been leading the way with wins against ESG in more than 15 states so far, including Texas, South Carolina, Georgia, Kansas, Florida, and Kentucky.
BACKGROUND:
Fox Business: Mississippi Hits BlackRock with Cease and Desist, Threatens Massive Fine Over ESG Policies
The Heritage Foundation: Why Corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance Enforcement Is Self-Reinforcing Scam
Fox Business: Texas pulls $8.5B from BlackRock in stunning blow to ESG movement
Heritage Explains: The ESG Pushback
Heritage Action: ESGHurts.com