ALEC in the Idaho Capital Sun: Idaho Republicans concerned over ESG standards
Environmental, social and governance standards in the business world have Idahoan legislators and stakeholders looking for answers
Idaho Capital Sun
June 7, 2022
By: Kelcie Moseley-Morris
Executive Vice President and ALEC Chief Economist, Jonathan Williams, was featured in a story by the Idaho Capital Sun regarding growing concern over ESG standards in the private sector.
While some Idaho legislators and interest groups have expressed deep concern about environmental, social and governance standards in the business world and say it’s part of a “woke agenda” from liberal activists, the president of the Gem State’s largest business organization says the standards are the latest “boogeyman” meant to sow political chaos and division.
A large group of Idaho politicians and lobbyists met at the Statehouse on Tuesday for a discussion about the standards — which are better known as ESG — in the credit rating and business investment space. ESG ratings are part of a process meant to measure certain aspects of a company or entity that may indicate social consciousness, commitment to sustainability and potential investment risks.
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The Idaho Legislature’s interim Committee on Federalism met right after the ESG discussion and continued to discuss the issue with Jonathan Williams, a chief economist from the American Legislative Exchange Council, and Scott Shepard, director of the Free Enterprise Project. Williams said Idaho should consider more legislation next year aimed at keeping ESG out of public pension investments.