Missouri Judge Overturns State Rule Targeting Investment Firms for ‘Woke Politics’
Jefferson City, Mo. – A federal judge in Missouri has invalidated a state investment rule accused of targeting “woke politics,” marking a significant blow to efforts by some officials to influence how investment decisions are shaped by social and environmental factors. The regulation, championed by Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, mandated financial professionals to disclose when prioritizing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria in investment strategies, asserting it placed undue political motives ahead of financial returns. The ruling, handed down on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough, found that Ashcroft’s mandate infringes … Read more