For months, members of the Texas legislature have been considering two bills (SB7 and HB6) that would make it harder to vote — particularly in areas with large Black populations like Harris County. In March, Popular Information
I have very gradually come to understand, with sadness, disappointment and shame that American politics is quite literally based on racism and white male privilege. It is at the root of many of our laws and business dealings. Continuing to believe that this is not what America was intended to be is my own naivety. It’s exactly what this country was originally founded upon. However, I do not believe that it should continue like this and that my country is more than past due for MAJOR changes. Changes that would make the dream of ‘ALL MEN (and women) are created equal’; and will actually be treated as such, a reality. The American Dream was never meant to be inclusive...but we need to change that. We need to work hard to make it so.
Appreciate you continuing to cover these thugs in the Texas GOP who would try to strong-arm corporations (not that I have any great love for corporations, mind you) for the sake of anti-democratic policies, Judd.
If you want to take this opportunity to send these bad guys a tweet, here's the list of corporate Twitter addresses, free for you to use :-) with my pleasure:
"But Popular Information analyzed Texas campaign finance records over the last three years to identify 26 of the top corporate donors to the sponsors of these bills."
It has become more and more apparent that the corporate world will have to take clear and decisive action if they are to stand up the states’ voter suppression.
All the companies Judd has listed as supporting fair voting must move beyond rhetoric and pledge to institute punitive action against states pushing voter suppression. Given the wide variance in the corporations the actions could vary widely but could include:
- no future business development in a voter suppressive state
- no future business in the state that brings a financial advantage to the state
- hard hitting direct advertising campaigns that spotlight voter suppression
- financial support of colleges not only in academia but also sports
- etc
And if but probably more likely when the state legislature passes these bills these corporations need to stick to their guns and implement these actions.
One of the biggest corporations that could impact this issue was not mentioned above but Apple's recent announcement of huge investments across the entire country has the opportunity and scope to make profound impacts on voter suppression in this country.
- 20k new jobs across the country
- $430B investment
- 9k suppliers in 50 states
- WA, CA, CO, TX, NY, MA slated for major investment
- $1B new NC campus engineering hub w/ 3k new jobs
- and $1B investment in the Austin Apple complex
If Apple were to indicate that it will not invest $1B in a state that supports voter suppression it would send a strong message to the Texas legislature that their actions will have serious consequences and even more important would be for Apple to adhere to that pledge when Texas commits itself to voter suppression.
The same muscle could be used by Apple in NC with the $1B investment noted.
While it is unclear exactly how when and where Apple’s $430B investment among 9k suppliers in 50 states will be executed Apple should be clear and upfront that they will not invest in any state that supports voter suppression. Just Say No !!!
I can’t see Apple supporting voter suppression or even being silent. The question is how strong a voice for democracy do they want to be.
Judd, can you post the best contact info for reaching the companies who are still not stepping up? I am interested in Comcast/NBC, USAA, and Centerpoint Energy in particular.
I have very gradually come to understand, with sadness, disappointment and shame that American politics is quite literally based on racism and white male privilege. It is at the root of many of our laws and business dealings. Continuing to believe that this is not what America was intended to be is my own naivety. It’s exactly what this country was originally founded upon. However, I do not believe that it should continue like this and that my country is more than past due for MAJOR changes. Changes that would make the dream of ‘ALL MEN (and women) are created equal’; and will actually be treated as such, a reality. The American Dream was never meant to be inclusive...but we need to change that. We need to work hard to make it so.
Thank you, Judd. Excellent reporting. May I ask, what are the courts doing to stop this travesty?
Appreciate you continuing to cover these thugs in the Texas GOP who would try to strong-arm corporations (not that I have any great love for corporations, mind you) for the sake of anti-democratic policies, Judd.
If you want to take this opportunity to send these bad guys a tweet, here's the list of corporate Twitter addresses, free for you to use :-) with my pleasure:
@oncor @ATT @USAA @CharterNewsroom @WeAreFarmers @BNSFRailway @StateFarm @UnionPacific @anthemgame @anthem @AnthemBCBS @ValeroEnergy @TAMU @gm @VistraCorp @Exelon @ExelonGen @comcast @NBCNews @CenterPoint @Walmart @WalmartInc @Deloitte @DeloitteUS @Phillips66Co @Phillips66Gas @BankofAmerica @united @DowJones @Prudential
"But Popular Information analyzed Texas campaign finance records over the last three years to identify 26 of the top corporate donors to the sponsors of these bills."
Excellent work. THANK YOU!
It has become more and more apparent that the corporate world will have to take clear and decisive action if they are to stand up the states’ voter suppression.
All the companies Judd has listed as supporting fair voting must move beyond rhetoric and pledge to institute punitive action against states pushing voter suppression. Given the wide variance in the corporations the actions could vary widely but could include:
- no future business development in a voter suppressive state
- no future business in the state that brings a financial advantage to the state
- hard hitting direct advertising campaigns that spotlight voter suppression
- financial support of colleges not only in academia but also sports
- etc
And if but probably more likely when the state legislature passes these bills these corporations need to stick to their guns and implement these actions.
One of the biggest corporations that could impact this issue was not mentioned above but Apple's recent announcement of huge investments across the entire country has the opportunity and scope to make profound impacts on voter suppression in this country.
- 20k new jobs across the country
- $430B investment
- 9k suppliers in 50 states
- WA, CA, CO, TX, NY, MA slated for major investment
- $1B new NC campus engineering hub w/ 3k new jobs
- and $1B investment in the Austin Apple complex
If Apple were to indicate that it will not invest $1B in a state that supports voter suppression it would send a strong message to the Texas legislature that their actions will have serious consequences and even more important would be for Apple to adhere to that pledge when Texas commits itself to voter suppression.
The same muscle could be used by Apple in NC with the $1B investment noted.
While it is unclear exactly how when and where Apple’s $430B investment among 9k suppliers in 50 states will be executed Apple should be clear and upfront that they will not invest in any state that supports voter suppression. Just Say No !!!
I can’t see Apple supporting voter suppression or even being silent. The question is how strong a voice for democracy do they want to be.
Republicans are going to keep doing this until/unless they stop getting away with it. Period.
Once again, great investigative reporting. Thank you PI for keeping the truth in the sunlight.
Republicans and the Corporate world make a big den of thieves. We the People must persevere and hold them accountable.
Judd, can you post the best contact info for reaching the companies who are still not stepping up? I am interested in Comcast/NBC, USAA, and Centerpoint Energy in particular.