Stop utility shareholder dividend payouts until infrastructure upgrades complete

Background

Pass a law which freezes utility and energy company dividend payouts to shareholders and requires payouts to only occur once infrastructure investment upgrades and repair work are completed. This should encompass water, gas and electrical companies.

Additional details

If investment is needed to upgrade infrastructure, we believe companies should be using all funds that are available to them, and if they have done so, only then should they be allowed to raise prices for consumers. We believe they shouldn’t be allowed to pay any shareholder dividends during this time. If the customer has to pay, we believe shareholders should as well.

Where it’s popular

Constituencies with the most signatures on this petition.