Target store campaign donation policy stirs controversy

A young girl watches as a cashiers bags groceries at a Target store. U.S. consumer prices were flat last month, the latest sign inflation is in check. Low inflation leaves consumers with more money to spend, which benefits the economy. The consumer price index has risen 1.6 percent in the 12 months ending in January, the Labor Department said Thursday. That's down from a 2.9 percent pace a year ago.Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices rose 0.3 percent in January, pushed up by higher costs for apparel, air fares and rents.

Retail giant Target is facing calls to revamp its political campaign contribution policies after shareholders learned of a recent $150,000 donation to Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, who campaigned on an anti-gay-rights platform. A recent Supreme Court decision removed restrictions on corporate donations to election campaigns and Target is the first company to face a backlash for its contributions. Target is facing a boycott from MoveOn.org and strong criticism from gay rights advocates. Would you shop at a store who donates to causes or candidates you oppose? Does Target’s situation present a way to provide public oversight of corporate campaign contributions after the Supreme Court’s decision?

Retail giant Target is facing calls to revamp its political campaign contribution policies after shareholders learned of a recent $150,000 donation to Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer, who campaigned on an anti-gay-rights platform. A recent Supreme Court decision removed restrictions on corporate donations to election campaigns and Target is the first company to face a backlash for its contributions. Target is facing a boycott from MoveOn.org and strong criticism from gay rights advocates. Would you shop at a store who donates to causes or candidates you oppose? Does Target’s situation present a way to provide public oversight of corporate campaign contributions after the Supreme Court’s decision?

Guests:

Timothy Smith, Senior Vice President, Environment, Social and Governance Group, Walden Asset Management

Tara Malloy, Associate Legal Counsel, Campaign Legal Center