Investor doesn't want Starbucks making political contributions or forming political action committees

John Harrington, who owns 800 shares of Starbucks stock, is asking other SBUX investors to "adopt a policy prohibiting the use of corporate funds for any political election or campaign." They'll vote on his proposal at next Wednesday's annual meeting.

Starbucks says a ban of that sort would "potentially put us at a marked disadvantage relative to our competitors who are able to participate in the political process."

Here's what Starbucks says: "We rarely make contributions and when we do we're committed to doing so transparently. We believe that we have a responsibility to advocate for public policies that support our business, our partners and the communities we serve."

A professor who specializes in corporate governance sides with Starbucks. "Let's say someone decides to outlaw caffeine," he says. "Starbucks' shareholders would expect the company to represent their interests."

* Starbucks shareholders to vote on political contributions ban

Comments

[Mike R]

I can't blame them for being interested in being things that can impact their business.