NCN delivers recommendations to President Obama
Working in close collaboration with state association members across the country, on Dec. 22 the National Council of Nonprofits, HANO's national affiliate, submitted recommendations to the Obama Administration regarding ways the federal government can work better with nonprofits. Learn what those recommendations were by reading our press release or the full report .
Federal legislative and regulatory developments
Economic stimulus legislation focuses on job creation: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (S.1), as introduced, is intended to create three million new jobs by modernizing the nation's infrastructure, enhancing America's energy independence and improving health care technology. In addition, it will include substantial tax relief for 95 percent of Americans. Learn more.
State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) to be among the first bills passed by new Congress: The House passed HR 2 last week, the SCHIP reauthorization, and the Senate Finance Committee has sent its mark-up to the Senate floor. Following a conference, the bill should pass easily and be signed quickly by President Obama. Read more.
GIVE Act reintroduced in both houses: Let Treasury determine the charitable mileage rate: Both Houses of Congress have now reintroduced legislation to improve the charitable mileage deduction for volunteers. Read more.
Serve America Act is reintroduced: On Jan. 16, Senators Kennedy (D, Mass.) and Hatch (R, Utah) introduced the "Serve America Act," a bill to expand national and community service opportunities for all Americans. Passage of this bill, along with the reauthorization bill for the Corporation for National and Community Service and implementation of President Obama's Service Agenda within the first 100 days will allow nonprofits, service organizations and social innovators to respond to our current economic crisis. Learn more.
211 legislation introduced: Senator Clinton (D, N.Y.), prior to resigning the Senate to become Secretary of State, introduced S. 211 to facilitate the nationwide availability of the 211 telephone information service for access to human services. Read more.
Nonprofit thrift stores and distributors of used children's products beware: In February 2009, new requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act take effect that impact nonprofit resellers of used children's clothing and toys. Read more.
Twenty new regulations under the Bush administration take effect before the inauguration: The Bush administration enacted at least 20 controversial "midnight" regulations affecting everything from the environment to health care and worker rights. If you are concerned about access to reproductive health services, loaded guns in national parks, longer driving periods for truck drivers or privatization of public roads, learn more from OMB Watch.
President Obama will move soon to maintain the Estate Tax in 2010: This is the year for estate tax reform. Learn why and what the Obama Plan would mean.
State Policy Developments
New Mexico court case poses issue for nonprofits: when is educating the public civic engagement vs. regulated political action?
Threats to nonprofit tax exemptions are emerging at the state level.
Read about new bill introductions that affect nonprofits in Colorado, Florida, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Nevada, New York, and Virginia.
