Public Policy Engagement

On issues for which our experience and knowledge add an important perspective to public debate, we seek to educate policymakers, both directly and indirectly, through various coalitions and trade associations. Through the Office of Global Government Affairs, we have interactions with governments and governmental organizations throughout the U.S. (at federal, state and local levels) and around the world. We engage on issues that range from legal, trade, tax policy and financial activities to regulatory compliance, intellectual property and government procurement.

International Trade
We support open markets and free trade. International trade is a powerful engine of global economic development that fosters job growth, improved living conditions and opportunities around the world. We support government-to-government negotiations aimed at liberalizing trading rules and opening markets, both on a bilateral and multinational basis. More open markets are critical for our technology and service solutions where we face barriers worldwide. We believe that all participants must be responsible citizens of the countries where they do business.

Corporate Taxation
As a global enterprise, we comply with the tax laws and regulations in all 160-plus countries where we operate. For more detail on the taxes we pay, please see our 2016 Annual Report.

At the same time, we work in support of U.S. corporate tax reform. The U.S. has the highest tax rates among large, industrialized nations. Corporate tax reform is needed if U.S. companies are to be fully competitive in overseas markets where 95 percent of the world’s population lives.

Education
Xerox has had a longstanding tradition of supporting efforts aimed at ensuring American students graduating from high school and college have the skills to compete. We are particularly passionate about programs that further American students’ access to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) curricula. These efforts help Xerox recruit and retain a skilled workforce and allow us to compete globally. We have worked with Congress and several Administrations to reform higher education programs, vocational education funding and K─12 standards.

Intellectual Property
As a participant in the Coalition Against Counterfeiting and Piracy, we play an active role in combating theft of intellectual property by counterfeiters who manufacture knockoff products. We also are strongly supportive of changes in the law that would reduce the impact of frivolous intellectual property litigation that imposes unnecessary costs on innovative companies.

Environment
Our Environment, Health, Safety and Sustainability governance policy, adopted in 1991, forms the foundation of our environmental leadership program.

State Legislation
We promote policy positions that make Information Technology (IT) more effective in supporting state and local government missions, improve government technology acquisition processes, maximize the positive financial impact of IT investments and create better outcomes for Americans served by state and local government agencies and programs. Our Office of Global Government Affairs has an established network of state and local government consultants whose responsibilities include monitoring legislation and policies that would impact our various government lines of business. Examples of our government business interests include business process outsourcing, regulation of credit card fees, eligibility and health information exchanges, emergency management services, work zone speed enforcement and electronic toll collections.

Retirement Policy
We believe policymakers should foster a legal and economic framework that encourages employers to maintain and increase the number of workers who have access to employer-provided retirement security. We take our commitment to our employees, both current and retired, very seriously and work with the U.S. Congress and the Administration to formulate policies that allow us to meet this pledge.

Healthcare
As an active player in healthcare, we promote policies that allow for sustainable, high-quality systems that are more accessible, less costly and more patient-centered. We support every citizen having access to quality, affordable health coverage. However, too many obstacles — regulatory mandates, inaccessible data, inefficient processes, incomprehensible billing and ever-rising costs — threaten to undermine our ability to provide healthcare effectively. We seek to use our healthcare expertise, our heritage of innovation and our influence to enhance the entire healthcare ecosystem. We work with patients, providers, payers, employers and governments at all levels to improve people’s lives through better, more accessible and more affordable healthcare.

Professional Organizations and Associations
Trade associations around the world play an important role in assisting our company with business development opportunities and citizenship activities, as well as in helping us meet certain public policy objectives. We are a member of a wide array of trade associations. Any trade association dues, or portions thereof, that are not deductible for tax purposes are reported in our lobbying disclosure reports. Our senior managers play a leadership role in various organizations, such as the Business Roundtable and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. These organizations develop and promote public policies that are considered important to our public policy interests and operations.

Learn more about our dues and expenditures. +

Code of Conduct Training
The Xerox Code of Business Conduct contains explicit information on our policies governing contact with elected and appointed government officials and agencies, as well as lobbying and political contributions. All Xerox employees are required to participate in annual training on the Code of Business Conduct and must certify adherence to the Code upon the conclusion of the course.

Employee Personal Political Contributions
While we encourage our people to participate in community and political activities, we do not endorse any organization or activity in which employees choose to participate; and we do not discriminate in favor of or against employees based on the organizations they choose to support. Employees are not reimbursed directly or through increases in compensation for their personal political contributions and expenses.

Xerox Contributions to 527s in 2016
The following 527 organizations received support from Xerox in 2015. The name derives from Section 527 of the Internal Revenue Code, under which these organizations are tax-exempt. These organizations have a purely political focus, rather than one supporting an issue or cause. Xerox contributions to the following 527 organizations are made with corporate — rather than Xerox Corporation Political Action Committee (XPAC) — funds:

• Democratic Governors Association
• Republican Governors Association

Xerox Corporate Political Contributions
We have a long-standing policy that nothing of value may be given, paid, promised or offered — directly or indirectly — from corporate treasury funds for any of the following: (1) political party, committee and/or candidate for any federal, state or local government office anywhere around the world; (2) independent expenditure or ballot measure committees; (3) electioneering communications; or (4) candidates for judicial office.

We have an established policy that does not permit any in-kind political contributions. The only authorized method to make political contributions on behalf of Xerox is through the Xerox Corporation Political Action Committee (XPAC).

Xerox Corporation Political Action Committee (XPAC)
XPAC is supported entirely by voluntary contributions from eligible Xerox employees, and all contributions go directly to candidate campaigns for political office. XPAC is nonpartisan and actively supports candidates and helps elect policymakers whose positions are consistent with our business values and strategies. XPAC contributions promote the interests of the company and are made without regard for the private political preferences of company officers and executives. We strictly prohibit the use of XPAC contributions to motivate or reward any official act.

Learn more about XPAC. +