SEC Steps Away from Reviewing Shareholder Proposals

Also, former government officials of both parties back independent agencies at high court

Paul Atkins has long taken a dim view of the SEC’s role in opining on shareholder proposals, especially on topics like climate change, diversity and workers’ rights. Now, he’s getting the agency out of the business altogether. The pullback is temporary, applying to this year’s proxy season. But it looks to some like the start of a permanent retreat.

The …