SEC backs Amazon proposal from New York State Common Bloomberg The SEC has backed New York State Common Retirement Fund's bid to have Amazon.com conduct an independent racial-equity audit. Officials at the Securities and Exchange Commission denied the online retailer's request to keep the proposal off the ballot at its annual meeting. In December, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, trustee of the $247.7 billion pension fund, announced the shareholder proposal that Amazon undergo an independent audit to assess the company's policies and practices on civil rights, equity, diversity and inclusion, and how those affect the company's business. "Amazon says it stands alongside those fighting systemic racism, yet we continue to see reports of workers facing racial discrimination, accusations of discriminatory wages, and the sale of products that promote hatred," Mr. DiNapoli said in a December statement.