IP Democracy: Google Gets Wise to Washington's Ways

As it turns out, Google may in fact be evil enough for Washington. The San Francisco Chronicle has this piece about Google forming a political action committee while simultaneously reaching out to Republicans. Google has filed the paperwork to register its PAC, Google NetPAC, with the Federal Elections Commission.

The committee will “support candidates who promote an open and free Internet for our users,” according to Google’s man in Washington, Alan Davidson. But, Google is still hanging onto some of its renegade roots by building in an employee committee that will vet the PAC’s contributions.

As usual, a board of directors will oversee the political action committee. But Google plans to add a second layer of advisers made up of employees to give them a voice in who to give money to and how much.

The company is also considering giving employees an incentive to contribute to the political action committee. The company would match any money they give with a charitable donation of equal value.

On the Republican front, Google has hired former Republican Sens. Dan Coats of Indiana and Connie Mack of Florida as outside lobbyists. The search giant, along with eBay and TechNet, will also hold its first fund raiser next week for embattled Rep. Heather Wilson (R-NM).

Posted by Cynthia Brumfield on September 17, 2006 9:25 AM to IP Democracy