GM voluntarily reports 2007 political contributions

Posted Jan 10th 2008 4:43PM by Brian White
Filed under: Rants and Raves, Competitive Strategy, General Motors (GM), Politics

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM) reached a milestone of corporate governance this month, as it released its first-ever contribution list to section 527 organizations. In essence, political influence dollars. GM apparently wants to further its efforts toward making corporate transparency for its stockholders commonplace. It's a good move by the world's largest automaker.

For 2007, GM's contributions to section 527 organizations are like this:

Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA) -- $5,000.00
Democratic Governors Association (DGA) -- $10,000.00
Democratic Governors Association (DGA) -- $5,000.00
Republican Governors Association (RGA) $ --15,000.00

In addition to the above amounts, GM made a few contributions in 2006 which it expects to be reported by the organizations below in 2007:

Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA) -- $5,000.00
Republican Governors Association (RGA) -- $15,000.00

Nothing was contributed to state or local candidates in any state as reported by GM, however. Based on the millions in lobbying amounts given away by GM every year, the above amounts seem like drops in the proverbial bucket. At least the report (PDF link) is being voluntary disclosed. With all the money the automaker gave to Democratic and Republican associations, one could buy a newer Escalade, eh?

Tags: General Motors, GeneralMotors, GM, GM lobbying, GmLobbying, Political contribution, PoliticalContribution, politics