Here are the 14 states fighting ESG. Is YOURS?

March 07, 2023

This week on his Wednesday night Glenn TV special, Glenn will delve into ESG and how large corporations are using YOUR money to fund woke agendas—while also compromising the return on your investment. As Glenn's audience is well aware, ESG stands for "environmental, social, and governance." It's a scoring system for businesses based on their compliance with environmental and social standards that has turned into a quasi-extortion scheme, forcing investment companies to use YOUR assets to fund progressive projects.

It is vitally important that fighting ESG becomes a central campaign item heading into the 2024 Presidential debate. 14 states have already stepped up to put measures in place to fight ESG. Did your state make the list? If not, as Glenn said, you should call your Congressional office NOW to push them to bring this legislation to the table. Though it can be discouraging to watch national politics, heroes in YOUR state are stepping up to defend your rights and freedoms through legislation that is actually getting things done.

1. Arizona

The Arizona State Board of Investment adopted anti-ESG revisions to its investment policy, specifying that only "pecuniary factors" may be considered in the investment management of its asset pools—that means they can only use your money for a return on investment, NOT to fund a woke agenda.

However, Arizona's new Democrat AG Kris Mayes recently announced the state will no longer conduct investigations into corporations over ESG matters. Here's what she said:

Corporations should be permitted to access capital markets in ways that they feel are necessary for the advancement of their investor objectives and for society, as long as they are doing so in a lawful manner. Corporations increasingly realize that investing in sustainability is both good for our country, our environment, and public health and good for their bottom lines.

If you are an Arizona resident, call your Congressional office to push back against Mayes' recent policy.

2. Idaho

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Republican Idaho state legislators have been preparing anti-ESG legislation in 2022 to push to the floor in 2023. If you are an Idaho resident, contact your Congressional office to help push this legislation forward.

3. Indiana

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On February 28th, Indiana's state House passed anti-ESG laws. The bill's author Rep. Ethan Manning said:

ESG, or so-called environmental, social and governance policies, are highly subjective measures that have real-world impacts. We need to focus our pension investments, the roughly $45 billion in assets we control, on financial factors, and leave politics and social and ideological considerations out of it.

Manning hit the nail on the head: investment firms should leave politics out of YOUR money. If you are an Indiana resident, help push this bill into law by contacting your local Congressional office.

5. Florida

Florida has been one of the original states leading the pack in passing anti-ESG laws. On the day of its announcement, Governor Ron DeSantis said:

Today’s announcement builds on my commitment to protect consumers’ investments and their ability to access financial services in the Free State of Florida. By applying arbitrary ESG financial metrics that serve no one except the companies that created them, elites are circumventing the ballot box to implement a radical ideological agenda. Through this legislation, we will protect the investments of Floridians and the ability of Floridians to participate in the economy.

DeSantis said it well: anti-ESG laws are about protecting consumers from elites who want to use YOUR money to fund their own political agendas.

4. Kansas

Glenn had Kansas state Rep Michael Murphy on his show (3/06/23) to discuss the anti-ESG legislation he is pushing in the Kansas state House. Kansas residents, give Rep. Murphy and the other GOP Reps the extra help to push this legislation forward!

6. Kentucky

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Not only does Kentucky have anti-ESG laws in place, but moreover, the state's AG Daniel Cameron launched an investigation into major banks, including Bank of America, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, and Wells Fargo for "anti-trust" practices and for locking consumers out of their assets over ESG conflicts. AG Cameron said:

Kentucky’s consumer protection and antitrust laws prohibit companies from engaging in coordinated practices that block certain Kentucky businesses from accessing banking services. We joined this investigation to ensure Kentucky companies that reject the Biden Administration’s anti-fossil fuel climate agenda have the same financial freedoms as those who accept it.

It is inspiring to see states like Kentucky take such a strong stance for the consumer rights of their people!

7. Louisiana

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Louisiana liquidated ALL of its funds from BlackRock, totaling $800 million, over its ESG and anti-fossil fuel practices. Louisiana state Treasurer John Schroder said:

Your blatantly anti-fossil fuel policies would destroy Louisiana’s economy. This divestment is necessary to protect Louisiana from actions and policies that would actively seek to hamstring our fossil fuel sector. In my opinion, your support of ESG investing is inconsistent with the best economic interests and values of Louisiana. I cannot support an institution that would deny our state the benefit of one of its most robust assets.

Without anti-ESG laws, states like Louisiana, whose economy relies largely on fossil fuels, would be victim to investment funds using THEIR state money for anti-fossil fuel agendas. Sound unfair? Because it is...

If you live in a state that relies on a fossil fuel economy, it is VITAL that you push anti-ESG legislation in your state.

8. North Dakota

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South Dakota passed anti-ESG laws, however, there is a risk that the state is pulling back its ESG protections. The North Dakota House voted down a resolution to boycott pro-ESG institutions and block financial institutions. This is especially troubling for North Dakota, which has an oil-dependent economy. If you are a North Dakota resident, it is vitally important that you push back against this regression away from ESG protections

9. Oklahoma

Oklahoma passed the Energy Discrimination Elimination Act in May 2022, and it went into effect in November. The law declares the oil-and-gas industry a vital part of the economy and that the state and companies that do business with the state should not boycott the oil and gas industry. Oklahoma State Treasurer Todd Russ subsequently sent questionnaires to national financial institutions to determine which companies are in breach of state law. Russ said:

I [...] began compiling a list of companies, banks, and other entities that act against Oklahoma’s interests because of their ESG stance. It is my responsibility to ensure Oklahomans’ tax dollars will not be used to enrich organizations that act counter to our taxpayers’ interests and our values.

Oklahoma is another example of how oil-rich states are leading the fight against ESG.

10. Texas

Texas was the first state to pass anti-ESG legislation in 2021. However, Texas lawmakers are now proposing to expand anti-ESG protections, prohibiting pension fund managers and insurance managers from making investment decisions that are detrimental or in conflict to Texas' oil and gas industry. Like Louisiana and other fossil-duel dependent economies, this expansion of anti-ESG legislation is vital. If you are a Texas resident, contact your local Congressional office NOW to help push this legislation through the floor.

11. Pennsylvania

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In 2022, the Pennsylvania state House proposed the "Liberty, Virtue, and Independence Act" against ESG. The bill stated:

The practice of discrimination against any Commonwealth inhabitants, including individuals, associations and businesses, through use of their social credit score or environmental, social or governance score is a matter of Statewide concern. Discrimination based on the scores not only threatens the rights and privileges of Commonwealth inhabitants, but menaces the institutions and foundation of our free democratic state and threatens the peace, order, health, safety and general welfare of the Commonwealth and its inhabitants.

Unfortunately, this bill has not been passed, but state Republicans are still fighting to pass anti-ESG legislation to protect the state's vital coal industry. If you live in Pennsylvania, contact your Congressional office NOW to help push this legislation through.

12. South Carolina

South Carolina has been trying to push anti-ESG protections since August 2022. One of the state lawmakers promoting this legislation, state Senator Josh Kimbrell, said, "(ESG) scores represent a great threat to free speech and free enterprise in South Carolina and across America." If you're a South Carolina resident, contact your local Congressional office to help push this legislation through.

13. Utah

Utah's state government is currently pushing anti-ESG legislation, arguing that ESG violates antitrust laws. Rep. Ken Ivory, who is one of the bill's sponsors, calls ESG the "weaponization of capitol." If you are a Utah resident, contact your Congressional office to help push this legislation through.

14. West Virginia

In late July, West Virginia became the first state to punish banks that abide to ESG standards and the first state to divest their funds from BlackRock, inspiring other states like Louisiana to follow suit. Now, they are expanding their anti-ESG protections to include pensions fund managers.

Glenn: We MUST change our ways before we DESTROY ourselves

What happened to Europe?

Once upon a time, America and Europe fought side-by-side to overthrow authoritarian regimes and resist communist dictators. Now European leaders are adopting the policies Europeans once fought against—and calling AMERICA out for "abandoning liberal democracy." But as Europeans get arrested for their speech, their elections rigged, and their religion squashed, Glenn felt compelled to notify their leaders of the truth: America didn't abandon democracy, Europe abandoned its people.

With this in mind, over the weekend Glenn authored an open letter to the leaders of Europe, calling them to return to the core values of Western democracy that we fought so hard for and to listen to the voices of their citizens who cry out for change. Glenn encouraged his audience to read his letter and spread the word:

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— Glenn Beck (@glennbeck) February 23, 2025

Glenn took to X to get as many eyes on his letter as possible. He also filmed a short video in his home stressing the importance of Europe's awakening. America cannot afford to prop up NATO anymore and Europe needs to be ready to hold its weight. Big changes are coming and for the sake of the Western values we have fought so long to preserve, we want Europe by our side, ready to face the future. We must change our ways before we tear ourselves apart.

An urgent message to Europe’s leaders: Return to the people’s voice. pic.twitter.com/ecI43zSnj5
— Glenn Beck (@glennbeck) February 23, 2025

Trump's education secretary has BIG plans for the DoE

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Our education system is broken, and the Department of Education is a massive failure. But that all ends now.

It's no secret that America's school system is seriously lacking in many ways. President Trump pointed out that despite our massive spending per pupil, we are behind most of the developed world in most metrics. Our scores continue to plummet while our student debt and spending skyrocket—it's utterly unacceptable performance and America's students deserve better.

That's where Linda McMahon, Trump's pick for Secretary of Education comes in.

The former WWE CEO and leader of the U.S. Small Business Administration during Trump's first term, McMahon laid out her harsh criticisms of the DoE during a confirmation hearing on the 13th and revealed her promising plans to turn things around. McMahon described the public education system as "in decline" and promised that under her authority, the DoE would be reoriented towards student success.

Here are the top three changes to the Department of Education:

1. Dismantling the Department of Education

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From the beginning Trump's orders for McMahon were clear: oversee the end of the Department of Education.

During her Thursday hearing, McMahon clarified what dismantling the DoE would entail. As Democrats have repeatedly pointed out, Trump does not have the authority to destroy the DoE without Congressional consent, as an act of Congress created it. That is why Trump and McMahon's plan is to start by shutting down programs that can be stopped by executive action, then approach Congress with a plan to dismantle the Department for good. The executive orders have already begun to take effect, and once McMahon is confirmed she will author a plan for Congress to close the Department.

McMahon also promised that the end of the Department of Education does not mean an end to all the programs currently undertaken by the doomed department. Programs that are deemed beneficial will be transferred (along with their funding) to departments that are more suited to the task. The example given by McMahon was IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) funding, which instead of being cut would be transferred to the Department of Health and Human Services.

2. School Choice

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In a huge win for parents across the country, McMahon pledged her support for School Choice. School Choice is the idea of allowing parents to enroll their student in any school of their choice, including religious schools and private schools. It would also mean that part or all of the funding that would have gone to a relocated child would follow them and continue to pay for their education.

This gives parents the ability to remove their children from failing schools and seek a better education for them elsewhere. A growing body of evidence suggests that the way we run our schools isn't working, and it is time to try something new. School Choice opens up education to the free market and will allow for competition.

Our children deserve better than what we can currently offer them.

3. COVID and DEI

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Trump's government-wide crackdown on DEI will ironically serve to increase inclusion in many American schools.

McMahon said as much during her Senate hearing: “It was put in place ostensibly for more diversity, for equity and inclusion. And I think what we’re seeing is, it is having an opposite effect. We are getting back to more segregating of our schools instead of having more inclusion in our schools.” She also spoke in support of Title IX, and the push to remove biological males from women's and girl's sports. In the same vein, McMahon pledged to push back against the rise of antisemitism on college campuses, which many Universities have failed to adequately address.

On Friday, February 14th, President Trump signed an executive order barring any school or university with COVID-19 vaccine mandates from receiving federal money. This only applies to the COVID-19 vaccine, and other vaccine mandates are still standing.

POLL: What DARK government secrets will Trump uncover?

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Will the dark secrets of the Deep State finally see the light of day? Or will they slip back into darkness, as they have many times before?

The Trump administration is gearing up to fulfill one of Trump's most anticipated campaign promises: to make the contents of the JFK files, along with other Deep State secrets, available to the public. Kash Patel, who has promised to publicize the highly anticipated files, is expected to be confirmed next week as Trump's director of the FBI. Moreover, the House Oversight Committee created a new task force headed by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna called "Task Force on Declassification of Federal Secrets," which is tasked with investigating and declassifying information on the JFK, RFK, and MLK assassinations, UFOs, the Epstein list, COVID's origins, and 9/11. This all comes after the FBI found 2,400 "new" records relating to the assassination of President Kennedy following Trump's executive order to release the files.

Glenn discussed this topic with the cast of the Patrick Bet David podcast. Glenn expressed his confidence in Trump's radical transparency—on the condition that Kash Patel is confirmed. The cast was not as optimistic, expressing some doubt about whether Trump will actually unveil all that he has promised. But what do you think? What files are likely to see the light of day? And what files will continue to linger in the dark? Let us know in the poll below

Do you think the JFK, RFK, and MLK files will be unveiled?

Do you think the 9/11 files will be unveiled?

Do you think the COVID files will be unveiled?

Do you think the UFO files will be unveiled?

Do you think the Epstein list will be unveiled?

Transgender opera in Colombia? 10 SHOCKING ways USAID spent your tax dollars.

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The government has been doing what with our tax money!?

Under the determined eye of Elon Musk, DOGE has rooted out the corruption that permeates USAID, and it turns out that it's worse than we thought. Glenn recently read a list of atrocious causes that were funded by USAID, and the list was as long as it was shocking.

Since the January consumer index report was published today, one thing is clear: eggs are bearing the brunt of inflation. That's why we illustrated the extent of USAID's wasteful spending of YOUR taxpayer dollars by comparing it to the price of eggs. How many eggs could the American people have bought with their tax dollars that were given to a "transgender opera" in Colombia or indoctrinating Sri Lankans with woke gender ideology? The truth will shock you:

1. A “transgender opera” in Colombia

USAID spent $47,000 on a transgender opera in Colombia. That's over 135,000 eggs.

2. Sex changes and "LGBT activism" in Guatemala

$2 million was spent funding sex changes along with whatever "LGBT activism" means. That equates to over 5.7 million eggs!

3. Teaching Sri Lankan journalists how to avoid binary-gendered language

USAID forked over $7.9 million to combat the "gender binary" in Sri Lankan journalism. That could have bought nearly 23 million eggs.

4. Tourism in Egypt

$6 million (or just over 17 million eggs) was spent to fund tourism in Egypt. If only someone had thought to build some impressive landmarks...

5. A new "Sesame Street" show in Iraq

USAID spent $20 million to create a new Sesame Street show in Iraq. That's just short of 58 million eggs...

6. Helping the BBC value the diversity of Libyan society

$2.1 million was sent to the BBC (the British Broadcasting Corporation) to help them value the diversity of Libyan society (whatever that means). That could have bought over 6 million eggs.

7. Meals for a terrorist group linked to Al-Qaeda

$10 million worth of USAID-funded meals went to an Al-Qaeda linked terrorist group. That comes up to be just shy of 29 million eggs.

8. Promoting inclusion in Vietnam

A combined $19.3 million was sent to two separate inclusion groups in Vietnam inclusion groups in Vietnam (why where they separated? Not very inclusive of them). That's over 55 million eggs.

9. Promoting DEI in Serbia's workplaces

USAID sent $1.5 million (4.3 million eggs) to “advance diversity equity and inclusion in Serbia’s workplaces and business communities.”

10. Funding EcoHealth Alliance, tied to the Wuhan Institute of Virology's "bat research"

EcoHealth Alliance, one of the key NGOs that funded the Wuhan lab's bat virus research, received $5 million from USAID, which is equivalent to 14.5 million eggs.

The bottom line...

So, how much damage was done?

In total, approximately $73.8 million was wasted on the items on this list. That comes out to be 213 million eggs. Keep in mind that these are just the items on this list, there are many, many more that DOGE has uncovered and will uncover in the coming days. Case in point: that's a lot of eggs.

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