EX-99.PROXYPOL
PROXY VOTING POLICY
FOR
BLACKROCK ADVISORS, INC.
AND ITS AFFILIATED REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISERS
INTRODUCTION
This Proxy Voting Policy ("Policy") for BlackRock Advisors, Inc. and
its affiliated registered investment advisers ("BlackRock") reflects our duty as
a fiduciary under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the "Advisers Act") to
vote proxies in the best interests of our clients. In addition, the Department
of Labor views the fiduciary act of managing ERISA plan assets to include the
voting of proxies. Proxy voting decisions must be made solely in the best
interests of the pension plan's participants and beneficiaries. The Department
of Labor has interpreted this requirement as prohibiting a fiduciary from
subordinating the retirement income interests of participants and beneficiaries
to unrelated objectives. The guidelines in this Policy have been formulated to
ensure decision-making consistent with these fiduciary responsibilities.
Any general or specific proxy voting guidelines provided by an advisory
client or its designated agent in writing will supercede the specific guidelines
in this Policy. BlackRock will disclose to our advisory clients information
about this Policy as well as disclose to our clients how they may obtain
information on how we voted their proxies. Additionally, BlackRock will maintain
proxy voting records for our advisory clients consistent with the Advisers Act.
For those of our clients that are registered investment companies, BlackRock
will disclose this Policy to the shareholders of such funds and make filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission and make available to fund
shareholders the specific proxy votes that we cast in shareholder meetings of
issuers of portfolio securities in accordance with the rules and regulations
under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Registered investment companies that are advised by BlackRock as well
as certain of our advisory clients may participate in securities lending
programs, which may reduce or eliminate the amount of shares eligible for voting
by BlackRock in accordance with this Policy if such shares are out on loan and
cannot be recalled in time for the vote.
Implicit in the initial decision to retain or invest in the security of
a corporation is approval of its existing corporate ownership structure, its
management, and its operations. Accordingly, proxy proposals that would change
the existing status of a corporation will be reviewed carefully and supported
only when it seems clear that the proposed changes are likely to benefit the
corporation and its shareholders. Notwithstanding this favorable predisposition,
management will be assessed on an ongoing basis both in terms of its business
capability and its dedication to the shareholders to ensure that our continued
confidence remains warranted. If it is determined that management is acting on
its own behalf instead of for the well being of the corporation, we will vote to
support
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shareholder proposals, unless other mitigating circumstances are
present.
Additionally, situations may arise that involve an actual or perceived
conflict of interest. For example, we may manage assets of a pension plan of a
company whose management is soliciting proxies, or a BlackRock employee involved
with managing an account may have a close relative who serves as a director or
executive of a company that is soliciting proxies regarding securities held in
such account. In all cases, the manner in which we vote proxies must be based on
our clients' best interests and not the product of a conflict.
This Policy and its attendant recommendations attempt to generalize a
complex subject. It should be clearly understood that specific fact situations,
including differing voting practices in jurisdictions outside the United States,
might warrant departure from these guidelines. In such instances, the relevant
facts will be considered, and if a vote contrary to these guidelines is
indicated it will be cast and the reasons therefor recorded in writing.
Section I of the Policy describes proxy proposals that may be
characterized as routine and lists examples of the types of proposals we would
typically support. Section II of the Policy describes various types of
non-routine proposals and provides general voting guidelines. These non-routine
proposals are categorized as those involving:
A. Social Issues,
B. Financial/Corporate Issues, and
C. Shareholder Rights.
Finally, Section III of the Policy describes the procedures to be followed in
casting a vote pursuant to these guidelines.
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SECTION I
ROUTINE MATTERS
Routine proxy proposals, amendments, or resolutions are typically
proposed by management and meet the following criteria:
1. They do not measurably change the structure, management
control, or operation of the corporation.
2. They are consistent with industry standards as well as the
corporate laws of the state of incorporation.
VOTING RECOMMENDATION
BlackRock will normally support the following routine proposals:
1. To increase authorized common shares.
2. To increase authorized preferred shares as long as there are
not disproportionate voting rights per preferred share.
3. To elect or re-elect directors.
4. To appoint or elect auditors.
5. To approve indemnification of directors and limitation of
directors' liability.
6. To establish compensation levels.
7. To establish employee stock purchase or ownership plans.
8. To set time and location of annual meeting.
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SECTION II
NON-ROUTINE PROPOSALS
A. SOCIAL ISSUES
Proposals in this category involve issues of social conscience. They
are typically proposed by shareholders who believe that the corporation's
internally adopted policies are ill-advised or misguided.
VOTING RECOMMENDATION
If we have determined that management is generally socially
responsible, we will generally vote AGAINST the following shareholder proposals:
1. To enforce restrictive energy policies.
2. To place arbitrary restrictions on military contracting.
3. To bar or place arbitrary restrictions on trade with other
countries.
4. To restrict the marketing of controversial products.
5. To limit corporate political activities.
6. To bar or restrict charitable contributions.
7. To enforce a general policy regarding human rights based on
arbitrary parameters.
8. To enforce a general policy regarding employment practices
based on arbitrary parameters.
9. To enforce a general policy regarding animal rights based on
arbitrary parameters.
10. To place arbitrary restrictions on environmental practices.
B. FINANCIAL/CORPORATE ISSUES
Proposals in this category are usually offered by management and seek
to change a corporation's legal, business or financial structure.
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VOTING RECOMMENDATION
We will generally vote in favor of the following management proposals
provided the position of current shareholders is preserved or enhanced:
1. To change the state of incorporation.
2. To approve mergers, acquisitions or dissolution.
3. To institute indenture changes.
4. To change capitalization.
C. SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS
Proposals in this category are made regularly both by management and
shareholders. They can be generalized as involving issues that transfer or
realign board or shareholder voting power.
We typically would oppose any proposal aimed solely at thwarting
potential takeover offers by requiring, for example, super-majority approval. At
the same time, we believe stability and continuity promote profitability. The
guidelines in this area seek to find a middle road, and they are no more than
guidelines. Individual proposals may have to be carefully assessed in the
context of their particular circumstances.
VOTING RECOMMENDATION
We will generally vote FOR the following management proposals:
1. To require majority approval of shareholders in acquisitions
of a controlling share in the corporation.
2. To institute staggered board of directors.
3. To require shareholder approval of not more than 66 2/3% for a
proposed amendment to the corporation's by-laws.
4. To eliminate cumulative voting.
5. To adopt anti-greenmail charter or by-law amendments or to
otherwise restrict a company's ability to make greenmail
payments.
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6. To create a dividend reinvestment program.
7. To eliminate preemptive rights.
8. To eliminate any other plan or procedure designed primarily to
discourage a takeover or other similar action (commonly known
as a "poison pill").
We will generally vote AGAINST the following management proposals:
1. To require greater than 66 2/3% shareholder approval for a
proposed amendment to the corporation's by-laws
("super-majority provisions").
2. To require that an arbitrary fair price be offered to all
shareholders that is derived from a fixed formula ("fair price
amendments").
3. To authorize a new class of common stock or preferred stock
which may have more votes per share than the existing common
stock.
4. To prohibit replacement of existing members of the board of
directors.
5. To eliminate shareholder action by written consent without a
shareholder meeting.
6. To allow only the board of directors to call a shareholder
meeting or to propose amendments to the articles of
incorporation.
7. To implement any other action or procedure designed primarily
to discourage a takeover or other similar action (commonly
known as a "poison pill").
8. To limit the ability of shareholders to nominate directors.
We will generally vote FOR the following shareholder proposals:
1. To rescind share purchases rights or require that they be
submitted for shareholder approval, but only if the vote
required for approval is not more than 66 2/3%.
2. To opt out of state anti-takeover laws deemed to be
detrimental to the shareholder.
3. To change the state of incorporation for companies operating
under the umbrella of anti-shareholder state corporation laws
if another state is chosen with favorable laws in this and
other areas.
4. To eliminate any other plan or procedure designed primarily to
discourage a takeover or other similar action.
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5. To permit shareholders to participate in formulating
management's proxy and the opportunity to discuss and evaluate
management's director nominees, and/or to nominate shareholder
nominees to the board.
6. To require that the board's audit, compensation, and/or
nominating committees be comprised exclusively of independent
directors.
7. To adopt anti-greenmail charter or by-law amendments or
otherwise restrict a company's ability to make greenmail
payments.
8. To create a dividend reinvestment program.
9. To recommend that votes to "abstain" not be considered votes
"cast" at an annual meeting or special meeting, unless
required by state law.
10. To require that "golden parachutes" be submitted for
shareholder ratification.
We will generally vote AGAINST the following shareholder proposals:
1. To restore preemptive rights.
2. To restore cumulative voting.
3. To require annual election of directors or to specify tenure.
4. To eliminate a staggered board of directors.
5. To require confidential voting.
6. To require directors to own a minimum amount of company stock
in order to qualify as a director or to remain on the board.
7. To dock director pay for failing to attend board meetings.
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SECTION III
VOTING PROCESS
BlackRock has engaged a third-party service provider to assist us in
the voting of proxies. These guidelines have been provided to this service
provider, who then analyzes all proxy solicitations we receive for our clients
and makes recommendations to us as to how, based upon our guidelines, the
relevant votes should be cast. These recommendations are set out in a report
that is provided to the relevant Portfolio Management Group team, who must
approve the proxy vote in writing and return such written approval to the
Operations Group. If any authorized member of a Portfolio Management Group team
desires to vote in a manner that differs from the recommendations, the reason
for such differing vote shall be noted in the written approval form. A copy of
the written approval form is attached as an exhibit. The head of each relevant
Portfolio Management Group team is responsible for making sure that proxies are
voted in a timely manner. The Brokerage Allocation Committee shall receive
regular reports of all proxy votes cast to review how proxies have been voted,
including reviewing votes that differ from recommendations made by our
third-party service provider and votes that may have involved a potential
conflict of interest. The Committee shall also review these guidelines from time
to time to determine their continued appropriateness and whether any changes to
the guidelines or the proxy voting process should be made.
IF THERE IS ANY POSSIBILITY THAT THE VOTE MAY INVOLVE A MATERIAL
CONFLICT OF INTEREST BECAUSE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE ISSUER SOLICITING THE VOTE IS A
BLACKROCK CLIENT OR THE MATTER BEING VOTED ON INVOLVES BLACKROCK, PNC OR ANY
AFFILIATE (INCLUDING A PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT GROUP EMPLOYEE) OF EITHER OF THEM,
PRIOR TO APPROVING SUCH VOTE, THE BROKERAGE ALLOCATION COMMITTEE MUST BE
CONSULTED AND THE MATTER DISCUSSED. The Committee, in consultation with the
Legal and Compliance Department, shall determine whether the potential conflict
is material and if so, the appropriate method to resolve such conflict, based on
the particular facts and circumstances, the importance of the proxy issue,
whether the Portfolio Management Group team is proposing a vote that differs
from recommendations made by our third-party service provider with respect to
the issue and the nature of the conflict, so as to ensure that the voting of the
proxy is not affected by the potential conflict. If the conflict is determined
not to be material, the relevant Portfolio Management Group team shall vote the
proxy in accordance with this Policy. Determinations of the Committee with
respect to votes involving material conflicts of interest shall be documented in
writing and maintained for a period of at least six years.
With respect to votes in connection with securities held on a
particular record date but sold from a client account prior to the holding of
the related meeting, BlackRock may take no action on proposals to be voted on in
such meeting.
With respect to voting proxies of non-U.S. companies, a number of
logistical problems may arise that may have a detrimental effect on BlackRock's
ability to vote such proxies in the best interests of our clients. These
problems include, but are not limited to, (i) untimely and/or
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inadequate notice of shareholder meetings, (ii) restrictions on the ability of
holders outside the issuer's jurisdiction of organization to exercise votes,
(iii) requirements to vote proxies in person, if not practicable, (iv) the
imposition of restrictions on the sale of the securities for a period of time in
proximity to the shareholder meeting, and (v) impracticable or inappropriate
requirements to provide local agents with power of attorney to facilitate the
voting instructions. Accordingly, BlackRock may determine not to vote proxies if
it believes that the restrictions or other detriments associated with such vote
outweigh the benefits that will be derived by voting on the company's proposal.
* * * * *
Any questions regarding this Policy may be directed to the General
Counsel of BlackRock.
Approved: October 21, 1998
Revised: May 27, 2003
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