Press Releases

SACRAMENTO— State Controller Betty T. Yee today reacted to reports that President Donald Trump is expected to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement, urging companies to stay engaged in the fight against climate change.

“Pulling out of the Paris Agreement would greatly risk the world’s chances of stemming the disastrous effects of climate change, resulting in irreversible impacts to future generations. Shareholders and Fortune 500 CEOs – including those at energy companies – understand the undeniable economic and environmental risks, which is why they have urged the Trump Administration to support the accord,” said Yee, the state’s chief fiscal officer and board member of CalPERS, CalSTRS, and Ceres. “Withdrawing from the Paris Agreement will mean we need to redouble our shareholder engagement on companies’ sustainability goals – efforts that will be even more necessary to ensure a cleaner environment and stable economic future.”

As the chief fiscal officer of California, Controller Yee is responsible for accountability and disbursement of the state’s financial resources. The Controller also safeguards many types of property until claimed by the rightful owners, and has independent auditing authority over government agencies that spend state funds. She is a member of numerous financing authorities, and fiscal and financial oversight entities including the Franchise Tax Board. She also serves on the boards for the nation’s two largest public pension funds. Elected in 2014, Controller Yee is the tenth woman elected to a statewide office in California’s history. Follow the Controller on Twitter at @CAController and on Facebook at California State Controller’s Office.

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