Here's a great article that looks at where over a dozen Minnesota-based companies stand on the mean-spirited marriage amendment on ballots this fall. The article includes views from the following companies:
Ameriprise Financial: No public position, it's a state issue
Best Buy: Solely focused on turning around their business
Cargill: No public position
Carlson Cos: No official position (however, I've already posted a couple times about CEO, Marilyn Carlson Nelson and her beliefs that this amendment will do much harm to the state of Minnesota if it were to pass)
CHS: Does not take positions not directly affecting its business operations
Ecolab: Does not comment on social issues
General Mills: Opposes amendment (this blog has been busy over the past week with this news - 1, 2, 3)
Medtronic: Not taken a position (however, former CEO, Bill George has spoken out in a big way saying that other "corporate leaders need to speak out forcefully against this amendment...")
St. Jude Medical: Does not believe the proposed constitutional amendment is in the best interests of Minnesota
Supervalu: Will not engage in this ballot campaign
Target: Does not believe that a constitutional fight over the issue is good for Minnesota or the state’s ability to attract jobs and grow the economy (I blogged about this a couple weeks back)
3M: Focuses on business issues, no stand on the amendment
U.S. Bancorp: Amendment does not relate to their core business of banking
Xcel Energy: Does not take positions on ballot questions that do not concern energy policy
So there you have it. As promised earlier this spring, I will continue to bring you news as I have it related to where companies in Minnesota stand on the amendment. Let's hope others will follow General Mills' lead this week and speak out for equality.
